Determination of role of GABA and nitric oxide in anticonvulsant activity of Fragaria vesca L. ethanolic extract in chemically induced epilepsy in laboratory animals

The aim of the present study was to investigate anticonvulsant effect of Fragaria vesca L. ethanolic etract in chemically induced epilepsy. Fragaria vesca L. ethanolic extract (FVEE) was prepared by extracting the fruit with 95 % ethanol. Seizures were induced by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazole, strychnine, isoniazid and subcutaneous injection of picrotoxin in male swiss albino mice. The in-vitro parameters were also determined including brain gamma amino butyric acid, nitric oxide. Single dose of PTZ, PTX, STR and INH resulted in resulted in hind-limb, tonicclonic convulsion along with mortality in mice. Treatment with FVEE (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly and dose dependently (P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively) attenuated onset of convulsion and duration of tonic convulsion induced by PTZ, PTX and INH. It also significantly inhibited the incidence of convulsion and mortality in the mice. Mice treated with FVEE (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant elevation in brain GABA level and lowering in NO level as compared to vehicle treated mice. Mice treated with FVEE showed significant reduction in the locomotor activity. Treatment with FVEE failed to produce any significant change in STR induced convulsion. The findings of present investigation suggest that FVEE bears a profile similar to agent elevating the inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain and restoring the excitatory neurochemistry behind epileptic seizures. Further investigations are being carried out to characterize the biochemical nature to understand the active principles along with structure activity relationship.