Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIEPILEPTIC EFFICACY OF LEAVES EXTRACT OF DESMODIUM GANGETICUM

YashPareek*, Satkar Prasad

RKDF School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bhabha University, Bhopal (M.P.)

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures and remains a major global health concern despite the availability of several antiepileptic drugs. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and antiepileptic potential of the ethanolic leaves extract of Desmodiumgangeticum. The leaves were extracted with ethanol, yielding 12.50% (w/w) extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, saponins, proteins, and diterpenes. Quantitative estimation showed total flavonoid, phenolic, and alkaloid contents of 0.72, 0.65, and 0.40 mg/100 mg of dried extract, respectively. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract was evaluated using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure models in experimental animals. In the PTZ model, the ethanolic extract significantly delayed seizure onset in a dose-dependent manner, with the 200 mg/kg dose increasing seizure latency to 212 ± 9.8 s and providing 71% protection compared to the PTZ control group. In the MES model, the extract significantly reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension from 12.84 ± 0.42 s in the control group to 3.86 ± 0.21 s at the 200 mg/kg dose. Although the anticonvulsant activity was lower than that of the standard drugs diazepam and phenytoin, the extract demonstrated significant protection against chemically and electrically induced seizures. The observed pharmacological activity may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and other bioactive phytoconstituents with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. The findings suggest that the ethanolic leaves extract of Desmodiumgangeticum possesses promising antiepileptic potential and supports its traditional medicinal use. Further studies are required to isolate the active constituents and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Keywords: Desmodiumgangeticum; Antiepileptic activity; Phytochemical screening; Ethanolic extract; Pentylenetetrazole; Maximal electroshock; Flavonoids; Phenolic compounds; Alkaloids; Medicinal plants.