Mucuna pruriens (Velvet bean) seed extract ameliorates epilepsy and anxiety against in vivo experimental models: A histopathological analysis

Introduction: the plant Mucuna pruriens is traditionally used in Indian system ofmedicine for the therapy of several neurological disorders. Chemical investigationson the plant have established the presence of levodopa and tryptamine which areresponsible for treating the neurological disorders like Parkinsonism. Objective:the objective of this research was to scientifically explore and ascertain its antiepilepticand anxiolytic activity in preclinical studies on Swiss albino mice. Materialand Method: the antiepileptic and anxiolytic effect of ethanolic extract of Mucunapruriens (EEMP) tested against maximal electroshock (MES) pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)-induced convulsions, Elevated Plus Maze, and light and dark arena. Actophotometertest performed to evaluate its potential locomotor activity deficitinducing action. Result: treatment of mice with EEMP significantly upturned theMES-induced convulsions, which was reflected by diminution in the time interval(sec) of entire phases of MES-induced convulsions, with an improvement in GABAlevels. In the PTZ model, pretreatment with EEMP delayed the latency and reducedthe intensity to clonic convulsions (p< 0.0001), and also delayed the latency oftonic convulsions as well as decrease the mortality mice in the treated groups ina dose-dependent manner. EEMP intervention dose dependently restored brainGABA levels. Assessment of GABA in mice’s brain after administration of EEMPexhibits significant modulation of GABA levels. Conclusion: overall, the findingssuggest that Mucuna pruriens has anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties that aremediated by positive GABAergic neurotransmission hence could be used to treatepileptic seizures, petitmal and grandmal epilepsy.