ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AEGLE MARMELOS (L.) CORRȆAALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH PHENYTOIN BY MAXIMAL ELECTROSHOCK INDUCED SEIZURE (MES) IN ALBINO MICE.

Aim: To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos (L.) correa alone and in combination with phenytoin by maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizure in albino mice. Method: Ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos (L.) correa (EEAM) was prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. The anticonvulsant activity of 2 doses of EEAM (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg), standard drug phenytoin (therapeutic dose 20mg/kg, sub therapeutic dose 10mg/kg), combination of EEAM (200mg) and phenytoin (10mg/kg) and combination of EEAM (400mg/kg) and phenytoin 10mg/kg were evaluated by maximal electroshock induced seizure (MES) model. After 1hr of oral administration of the test drug and standard drug, the pre-screened albino mice were subjected to MES seizures by electroconvulsiometer with a current of 45mA for 0.2 sec via transauricular electrodes. Duration of Tonic hind limb extension (THLE) was recorded and percentage protection calculated. Results: EEAM exhibited signicant anticonvulsant activity in the MES model at doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg and also in combination with phenytoin subtherapeutic dose (10mg/kg) when compared with control group (p< 0.001). Combination of EEAM 400mg/kg and sub therapeutic dose of phenytoin 10mg/kg exhibited similar anticonvulsant effect when compared with standard therapeutic dose of phenytoin. Conclusion: EEAM exhibited signicant anticonvulsant activity when given alone and it also potentiates the anticonvulsant activity of sub therapeutic dose of phenytoin when given in combination in the MES model.