Abstract:
Aim: To investigate the phytochemicals and the anticonvulsant activity of the ethanol leaf extract of
Culcasia falcifolia used in the traditional medical treatment of epilepsy.
Methodology: The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard protocol while the
anticonvulsant activity was studied using Pentylenetetrazole in mice.
Result: The preliminary phytochemical screening carried out on the ethanol extract of Culcasia
falcifolia revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, and
glycosides. In the anticonvulsant activity, there was a significant (*p< 0.05, **p<0.01) increase in the
mean latency of tonic convulsion (243.72 ± 6.90*, 402.56 ± 5.52**) and significant (*p< 0.05,
Original Research Article
**p<0.01) decrease in the mean duration of tonic convulsion (192.62 ± 7.72*, 158.99 ± 8.66**) in a
dose-dependent manner at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body wt. respectively. The extract at 400
mg/kg body wt. showed 100% protection against mortality.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the ethanol leaf extract of Culcasia falcifolia
possesses anticonvulsant activity in PTZ induced seizure in mice.
