Evaluation of anti-convulsant activity of Mucuna pruriens seed extracts

The anticonvulsant activity of butanol seed extract of Mucuna pruriens was investigated by studying the effects on seizures induced by pentylentetrazole and maximal electroshock convulsive methods in mice. Mucuna pruriens (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of convulsion in tonic seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (80mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Mucuna pruriens (100 and 200 mg/kg orally) significantly reduced the tonic extensor convulsion in both the experimental models and the effects were compared with diphenylhydantoin in maximal electroshock method and Sodium valproate in pentylenetetrazole induced seizures method as standard control respectively. The data obtained suggest that Mucuna pruriens have mild to moderate anticonvulsant property and may be due to involvement of Gamma amino butyric acid.