Anxiolytic and anticonvulsive activity of Sesbania grandiflora leaves in experimental animals

Various parts of Sesbania grandiflora have been used in the Indian system of medicine, in particular, the leaves of S. grandiflora are used in Ayurveda for the treatment of epileptic fits. In the present study we have evaluated the anticonvulsive activity of S. grandiflora leaves using a variety of animal models of convulsions. Bioassay guided separation was also carried out to identify the fraction possessing anticonvulsant activity. The benzene:ethyl acetate fraction (BE) of the acetone soluble part of a petroleum ether extract significantly delayed the onset of convulsions in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and strychnine (STR)- induced seizures in mice and reduced the duration of tonic hindleg extension in the maximum electroconvulsive shock (MES) induced seizures in mice. The BE contained a triterpene as a major component. In addition, the BE also inhibited electrically induced kindled seizures in mice and lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats. It prolonged the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital and antagonized the effect of D-amphetamine. Mice treated with BE preferred to remain in the open arm of the elevated plus maze indicating anxiolytic activity. The BE raised the brain contents of gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin. Thus the triterpene containing fraction of S. grandiflora exhibits a wide spectrum of anticonvulsant profile and anxiolytic activity.