2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270
3Department of Pharmacology, Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan, Karachi
Method: In this study, anticonvulsant action of Trigonella foenumgraecum L. was evaluated in rats by strychnine induced convulsions at three different doses after 14 days of continuous administration. Diazepam at 1mg/kg was consumed as a standard drug. The time to onset of first convulsion, number of convulsions, and duration of convulsions, mortality rate and percent protection was recorded for each animal. Present study was specifically designed to evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of T. foenum-graecum L. Seeds methanol extract.
Result: Administration of TFGS-ME for 14 days to rats exhibited significant delay in onset of convulsion at 50 and 100 mg/kg while highly significant delay at 200mg/kg comparable to diazepam. Frequency of convulsion was also decreased significantly at 100 and 200 mg/kg, comparable to diazepam. Duration of convulsion was also decreased significantly at all the three doses given in comparison to control animals. Percent protection in animals received TFGS-ME at 200mg/kg was 90% within 24 h as compared to 10% protection in control animals.
Conclusion: Present study gives enough evidences regarding the potential of T. foenum-graecum L. as anticonvulsant agent.
Key words: Anticonvulsant; Trigonella foenum-graecum L.; strychnine induced convulsions
It is a chronic progressive disease and affects quality of life [2]. The incidence of epilepsy in industrialized states is about 50 per 100,000 whereas in emerging undeveloped states, it is 100 per 100,000 affecting individuals of all ages, races, and social groups [3]. Epilepsy has many possible causes such as infection, head trauma, brain malignancy and stroke. A variety of drugs including, antipsychotics antidepressants, levodopa, thiazide diuretics and antibiotics, can also increase the frequency of seizures [4].
It is suggested that there is an imbalance between GABA and glutamate-mediated neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Low catecholamine levels can be another causative factor of epilepsy [5, 6, 7].
The pathophysiology of the seizure disorder is complex. It may result from permanent modifications in the brain affecting neurotransmitters discharge and movement, receptors and ion channels, gene expressions, synapses and astrocytes. Initially, it was considered that modifications in ion channels may cause the onset of the involuntary depolarization that begins seizures. Current researches propose that numerous neuro chemical conduits contribute significantly in seizure onset and progression [8].
Epilepsy is not treatable, but can be managed with anticonvulsant drugs which either prevent the initiation of convulsions or decrease the intensity of seizures [9]. Around, 70% of sufferers of epilepsy show better outcome on single drug therapy by currently available medicines. While 5-10% of patients are benefited by adding a second drug. Remaining 20 percent of patients are resistant to the treatment [10].Therefore, there is need to develop a better anticonvulsant drug [11].
Anticonvulsant drugs of first generation have propensity for drug-drug interactions and side effects due to enzyme induction or inhibition [12]. Adverse effects of the antiepileptic drugs may affect the patient’s quality of life to a greater extent than the epilepsy itself which is a challenging situation for a physician [13].
Natural products are potential basis of bioactive substances and are used worldwide as traditional medicinal remedies. Many of the synthetic drugs are derived from plant sources [14, 15]. Therapeutic plants identified to have anticonvulsant activity in animal models include: Abelmoschus angulosus, Allium sativum, Cinchona officinalis, Egletes viscosa, Cannabis sativa, Icacina trichantha, Magnolia grandiflora, Plumbago zeylanica, Artemisia spp, Bauhinia outimouta, Rauvolfia ligustrina and Ximenia Americana [16].
Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (Fenugreek) is a wellidentified old medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae, various parts of which are consumed as food constituent such as leaves and seeds [17].
This study was executed consuming seeds of T. foenumgraecum L. Seeds are small (3-5 mm long, 2 mm thick) having hard texture, fluctuating from yellowish brown to brown in color. They are flattened and have a distinctive rhomboid shape. They have a distinguished peppery odor, bitter and mucilaginous taste [18].
Seeds are conventionally used as spice in our food. Prehistoric people used it customarily for various medicinal uses. It is a rich source of various bioactive compounds such as saponins (fenugreekine, diosgenin), alkaloids (trigonelline, gentianine, carpaine), amino acids (4-Hydroxy isoleucin, arginine) and flavonoids [19, 20]. Literature review showed numerous scientifically assessed activities such as hypoglycemic, Raju, et al. hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anticancer and antiulcer activities [21-25].
Present study was especially designed to evaluate anticonvulsants effects T.foenum-graecum L. seeds methanol extract (TFGS-ME) in strychnine induced epilepsy model.
The onset of first convulsion in TFGS-ME I and TFGS-ME II groups which received extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively was delayed significantly i.e. 190.36+ 33.00 s and 187.36+ 41.13 s respectively in contrast to control animals i.e. 119.47+ 39.55 s, while the onset of first convulsion in TFGS-ME III group which received extract at 200 mg/kg body weight and animals which received standard drug diazepam at 1mg/kg body weight was delayed highly significantly i.e. 389.14+ 23.4 s and 302.17+24.1 s respectively in contrast to control animals.
The effect on number of convulsions in TFGS-MEI group which received extract at 50 mg/kg body weight was statistically inconsequential i.e. 3.00+ 0.14 in contrast to the control animals i.e. 3.00+ 0.77. The number of convulsions in TFGS-ME II, TFGSME III groups which received extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively and in animals received standard drug diazepam at 1mg/kg body weight were reduced significantly i.e. 1.00+ 0.31, 1.00 +0.19 and 1.00+ 0.61 respectively in contrast to control animals.
The duration of convulsions in TFGS-ME I, TFGS-ME II, TFGSME III groups which received extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively and animals received standard drug diazepam at 1mg/kg body weight were reduced significantly i.e. 24.31+1.55 s, 21.57+1.03 s, 19.71+2.49 s and 16.99+1.86 s respectively.
Group/Dosage |
Onset of Convulsions (sec) |
No. of Convulsions (1 min) |
Duration of Convulsions (sec) |
Distilled Water 1ml/kg |
119.47+39.55 |
3.00+0.77 |
39.29+1.79 |
Diazepam 1mg/kg |
302.17+24.1** |
1.00+0.61* |
16.99+1.86* |
TFGS-ME I 50mg/kg |
190.36+33.00* |
3.00+0.14 |
24.31+1.55* |
TFGS-ME II 100mg/kg |
187.36+41.13* |
1.00+0.31* |
21.57+1.03* |
TFGS-ME III 200mg/kg |
389.14+23.4** |
1.00+0.19* |
19.71+2.49* |
*P≤0.05 noteworthy in contrast to control
**P≤0.001 highly noteworthy in contrast to control group
TFGS-ME=Trigonella foenum-graecum Seeds-Methanol Extract
Group/ |
Number of Animals |
Mortality Rate (%) |
Protection (%) |
|||||
30 min |
24h |
30 min |
24 h |
30 min |
24 h |
|||
Dead |
Alive |
Dead |
Alive |
|||||
Distilled Water 1ml/kg |
9 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
90 |
90 |
10 |
10 |
Diazepam 1mg/kg |
0 |
10 |
0 |
10 |
0** |
0** |
100** |
100** |
TFGS-ME I50mg/kg |
4 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
40* |
40* |
60* |
60* |
TFGS-ME II100mg/kg |
2 |
8 |
3 |
7 |
20** |
30** |
80** |
70** |
TFGS-ME III200 mg/kg |
1 |
9 |
1 |
9 |
10** |
10** |
90** |
90** |
*P≤0.05 noteworthy in contrast to control group
**P≤0.001 highly noteworthy in contrast to control group
TFGS-ME=Trigonella foenum-graecum Seeds-Methanol Extractt
The mortality rate in TFGS-ME I group which received 50 mg/ kg extract was 40% at 30 min and after 24 h in contrast to the control animals which was 90%. Hence it revealed 60 percent protection in contrast to 10% in control animals. The mortality rate in TFGS-ME II group which received 100mg/kg extract was 20% at 30 min and 30% after 24 h in contrast to control animals. Hence it revealed 80 percent protection at 30 min and 70% protection after 24 h in contrast to control animals. The mortality rate in TFGS-ME III group which received200 mg/kg extract was 10% at 30 min and after 24 h in contrast control animals which was 90%. Hence it revealed 90 percent protection in contrast to 10% protection in control animals. However mortality rate in animals received standard drug diazepam was 0 % both at 30 min and after 24 h in contrast to control animals, hence revealed 100 percent protection in contrast to control animals.
Epilepsy is the 2nd greatest prevalent brain ailment after stroke, and a huge load on health system. Currently available antiepileptic drugs are associated with a lot of adverse effects and erratic pharmacological effects; hence it is crucial to explore newer anticonvulsant medications having better side effect profile and enhanced pharmacological effects as the treatment of epilepsy is for extensive duration. Traditional herbal medicines are safer to use because of their moderate degree of bio reactivity. Researchers are trying to separate and distinguish the bioactive compounds of the medicinal plants which can be utilized in new drug developments [32-35].
In the present investigation, anticonvulsant action of TFGSME was evaluated in rats by strychnine induced convulsions at three different doses after 14 days of continuous administration. Diazepam at 1mg/kg was consumed as a standard drug. The time to onset of first convulsion, number of convulsions, duration of convulsions, mortality rate and percent protection was recorded.
Strychnine produces convulsions by interfering the postsynaptic inhibition facilitated by glycine which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter to the spinal cord neurons. Strychnine actions as a selective competitive antagonist to prevent the inhibitory actions of glycine at the receptors. Researches recommend that strychnine and glycine act at the same receptor but at varying positions. The levels of the amino acid glutamic acid are also increased in brain, which acts as a neurotransmitter for excitatory nerve impulses leading to myocontraction [36].
Administration of TFGS-ME for 14 days to rats revealed significant delay in onset of convulsion at 50 and 100 mg/kg while highly significant delay at 200mg/kg and comparable to diazepam. Frequency of convulsion was also decreased highly significantly at 100 and 200 mg/kg, which were comparable to diazepam Duration of convulsion was also decreased significantly at all the three doses given in comparison to control animals.. Percent protection in animals received TFGS-ME at 200mg/kg was 90% within 24 h as compared to 10% protection in control animals.
It is recognized that some flavonoids and their glycosides possess anticonvulsant effects. More than 5000 types of flavonoids have been isolated, and the pharmacological features of many of them have been identified. Many flavonoids exert anticonvulsant action by modifying the GABAA-Cl-channel composite because of their structural similarity to benzodiazepines [37-39].
Vitexin, quercetin, isoquercitrin, and rutin type of flavonoids, exhibited anticonvulsant effects in investigational epilepsy models. Vitexin is a C-glycosylated type of flavone present in numerous plants. It exerts anticonvulsant effects by augmenting the duration of seizure onset in PTZ-induced seizures in animals, probably through binding at the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor complex. Quercetin also showed anticonvulsant effects. It is suggested that it modulates GABAA receptors and antagonizes N-methyl D aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Rutin revealed anticonvulsant effect in kainic acid induced seizures by decreasing oxidative stress. Moreover, rutin acts as a ligand for benzodiazepine receptors through positive allosteric modulation of the GABAA receptor. Anticonvulsant action of TFGS-ME can be ascribed to presence of various flavonoids in it [39-44].
Seizures weaken the antioxidant defense mechanism of brain leading to free radicals generation, which further provokes the oxidative stress and cause lipid peroxidation, brain edema and epilepsy. Moreover free radicals by inactivating the enzyme glutamine synthase increase the production of excitatory neurotransmitter glutamic acid, resulting in seizure induction. This is correlated with a decrease in the brain GABA levels by inhibiting the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase by free radicals [2, 45, 46]. It is safe to conclude that anticonvulsant action of TFGS-ME could be due to its antioxidant effect [23].
Various other phytochemicals are also reported to possess anticonvulsant activity such as luteolin depicted anticonvulsant effect in an acute pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model. Gentian in revealed anticonvulsant effect by affecting the cytokines regulating hypothalamic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Diosgenin significantly prevented seizures in PTZ induced kindling model. T. foenum-graecum L. seeds contain luteolin, gentianine and diosgenin phytochemicals, favoring its anticonvulsant potential [19, 35, 44, 47, 48].
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