EVALUATION OF ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF SOLANUM TRILOBATUM FROM INVITRO STUDIES.

Abstract

Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the ethanolic extract of Solanum trilobatum leaves (EEST) by examining its influence on key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model. Methods: The activities of antioxidant enzymes were quantified using spectrophotometric techniques. GPx activity was evaluated through a coupled enzymatic reaction by measuring the rate of NADPH consumption, whereas SOD activity was determined based on its ability to inhibit pyrogallol auto-oxidation. Results: Induction of seizures using PTZ led to a marked decline in endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels, reflecting increased oxidative stress. Administration of EEST significantly elevated (p < 0.0001) both GPx and SOD activities when compared with the untreated control group. Among the treatment groups, the highest dose (G5) demonstrated the greatest enhancement in GPx (2.5097 ± 0.0201) and SOD (45.96 ± 1.32) activities, suggesting a dose-dependent antioxidant effect. Furthermore, EEST treatment was associated with improvement in seizure-related parameters, including prolonged onset time and reduced duration of tonic–clonic seizures. Conclusion: These findings indicate that EEST possesses notable anticonvulsant properties, which may be attributed to its ability to strengthen the endogenous antioxidant defense system. The observed increase in SOD and GPx activities suggests a protective mechanism against oxidative neuronal damage.