Anticonvulsant Activity of Extracts of Plectranthus barbatus Leaves in Mice

Abstract EN

Plectranthus barbatus is a medicinal plant used to treat a wide range of disorders including seizure.

However, the anticonvulsant activity of this plant has not been studied in depth.

We therefore sought to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of P.

barbatus leaves on seizures induced by strychnine sulphate (2.0 mg/kg) and pilocarpine (600 mg/kg) in mice.

The extract was administered orally at 1, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg.

We report that the P.

barbatus extract had marked anticonvulsant activity against strychnine-induced convulsions, but was quite ineffective against pilocarpine-induced convulsions.

Further experiments will be required to identify the active molecules(s) and their mechanism(s) of action.