Evaluation of the Anticonvulsant Property of Russelia equisetiformis (Schlecht and Chan)

Fits or convulsions are extremely common symptoms in childhood most especially in inflammatory conditions such as malaria and viral infections, tonsillitis and cases of epileptic conditions. Most of the available drugs used in the control of this symptom usually present adverse reactions. Alternative medicine is one of the interesting areas, which is getting more popular and increasingly attractive world wide. In searching for herbal remedy that is safe and efficacious, we therefore, evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of methanol Russelia equisetiformis extracts (MERE). Anticonvulsant activity was evaluated in the picrotoxin (PCT) and strychnine (STC)-induced convulsions in mice. MERE (100-400 mg/kg), significantly (p<0.05) protected mice against picrotoxin-induced seizures. However, the extract did not confer protection against (STC) - induced seizures. n-Hexane fraction (10 mg kg -1 ), showed the highest percentage level of protection (80%) against picrotoxin-induced seizures, with none of the fractions showing protection against (STC)-induced convulsion. Although, the data obtained in the present study, do not provide convulsive evidence, it would appear that R. equisetiformis crude extract (MERE), and its n-hexane fraction produce the observed anticonvulsant activity by enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission, and/or facilitating GABAergic action in the brain. In general, the average onset of convulsion was delayed, while the average duration of convulsion was markedly reduced. These findings, suggest therefore, that the plant could serve as a supplementary therapy for the management and/or control of childhood convulsions and epilepsy.