Evaluation of the Anticonvulsant Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Crinum Scillifolium Bulbs (Amaryllidaceae) In Experimental Animals

Crinum species known today are generally used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases such as tumors, fever, malaria, febrile convulsions. The present study was aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of the aqueous extract of Crinum scillifolium bulbs in mice. The anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous extract of Crinum scillifolium bulbs (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was investigated isoniazid-induced seizures in mice. The convulsions produced by isoniazid are due to inhibition of GABA mediated pathway. The aqueous extract of Crinum scillifolium bulbs strongly protected mice against seizures induced by isoniazid (100 % of protection) at dose of 200 mg/kg. Further, in unprotected animals, the extract significantly increased seizure latency (p < 0.05) compared with the control group when mice was treated at dose of 100 mg/kg. Higher mortality was observed in animals that received distilled water. On the other hand, the aqueous extract has considerably reduced the occurrence of death in unprotected animals. The results of this study showed that, the aqueous extract of Crinum scillifolium bulbs possesses anticonvulsant activity against seizures induced by isoniazid in mice. This study strengthened the traditional belief and provided scientific background to the uses of the plant in the treatment of epilepsy.