Journal of Natural Remedies

Kalpana S. Patil , A. R. Suresh Babu , S. C. Chaturvedi

Abstract

Objective: Calotropis gigantea Linn. (Asclepiadaceae) a widely growing plant has been traditionally used for all kinds of fits, epilepsy, convulsions in children and paralysis complaints. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate scientifically the anti-convulsant effects of ischolar_mains and barks of Calotropis gigantea Linn. using maximal electroshock seizures (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure models. Methods: The effect of different extracts of ischolar_mains and barks of Calotropis gigantea Linn. were evaluated for their anti-convulsant profile in MES test and PTZ test using albino Wistar rats of either sex. The ED₅₀ dose of Phenytoin (25 mg/kg) and Diazepam (4 mg/ kg) was used for comparison. Results: The methanolic extract at 400 mg/kg (Root) and 200 mg/kg (Bark) significantly (P<0.001) inhibited the hind limb tonic extension (HLTE) induced by MES and onset of clonic convulsion induced by PTZ respectively. Conclusions: The results show that the methanolic extract of the ischolar_mains and barks of Calotropis gigantea Linn. produce better anti-convulsant activity compared to other extracts. So, on the basis of the present findings it can be observed that, the methanolic extracts of barks of C. gigantea possess potential anti-convulsant activity than methanolic extracts of ischolar_mains of C. gigantea.

Keywords

Calotropis gigantea, Anti-convulsant Activity, Maximum Electroshock (MES), Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), Hind Limb Tonic Extension (HLTE)

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Kalpana S. Patil , G. C. Mamatha , S. C. Chaturvedi

Abstract

Objective: To study the anti-arthritic activity of leaves of Calotropis gigantea. Materials and methods: Petroleum ether (40-60°), ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves were tested for various preliminary phytoconstituents and were screened for anti-arthritic activities using Freund's adjuvant arthritis in albino rats. The extracts were administered orally for 21 days and the mean changes in diameter of paw were noted at regular intervals. The changes in body weight were recorded daily. On 22^nd day at the end of study blood was collected and haemoglobin content, total WBC count, differential WBC count, ESR and RBC were also estimated. Results: The Calotropis gigantea leaves extracts reduced the hind paw oedema. In biochemical study Calotropis gigantea extracts showed increase in haemoglobin content as compared to adjuvant positive control group. The increased WBC count was significantly suppressed by extracts. The significant increase of ESR in adjuvant control was also restored back to normal by the extracts. Conclusions: From the results obtained in the current investigation, it may be concluded that the extract of Calotropis gigantea Linn. possesses potentially useful anti-arthritic activity.

Keywords

Calotropis gigantea, Anti-arthritic, Adjuvant Arthritis

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