Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of Streblus asper Lour Using Experimental Lab Animals

Authors

Abstract

About 50 million individuals worldwide suffer from epilepsy, with low- and middle-income nations accounting for 80% of cases. Despite the availability of drugs, around 75% of patients do not obtain proper diagnosis or care. Plant-based medicines are becoming more popular as a result of issues including side effects and drug resistance. This study examined the anticonvulsant and antioxidant qualities of ethanolic leaf extract from Streblus asper Lour., a plant known for its neuroprotective advantages.

Flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics—compounds associated with neuroprotective and antioxidant properties—were identified by phytochemical analysis. Tests conducted in vitro, such as DPPH, H2O₂ scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, and reducing power assays, showed that the extract had a moderate to strong ability to neutralize free radicals.

The extract was safe at levels up to 2000 mg/kg, according to acute toxicity tests conducted on mice. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure models and maximum electroshock (MES) were used to assess the effects of anticonvulsants. Comparable to common medications like phenytoin and diazepam, the extract significantly reduced seizure duration and intensity in a dose-dependent manner. Biochemical investigation showed that treated groups had lower levels of malondialdehyde and higher levels of glutathione and catalase.

GC-MS profiling revealed important bioactive substances that could be responsible for the extract's actions, such as phytol and β-caryophyllene. These findings demonstrate the potential of Streblus asper as a natural antioxidant and anticonvulsant, indicating that more study may improve its application in the treatment of epilepsy.

Keywords: Streblus asper, Anti-convulsant, Maximal Electroshock, Pentylenetetrazole model, phytochemical, antioxidant assay.

Keywords:

streblus asper lour, antiepileptic, pentylenetetrazole , maximal electroshock induced convulsion

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i8.7327

Author Biographies

Subhendu Mathur , Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Mangesh Tote , Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Abhishek Prajapati , Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Juverya Kazi , Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Kuldeep Prajapati , Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Manjari Singh , Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

Department of Pharmacology, Oriental College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharastra, India, Pin- 400705

References

1. Harris L, Angus-Leppan H. Epilepsy: diagnosis, classification and management. Medicine (United Kingdom). 2020 Aug 1;48(8):522-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.05.001

2. Stafstrom CE, Carmant L. Seizures and epilepsy: An overview for neuroscientists. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2015;7(5):1-19. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a022426 PMid:26033084 PMCid:PMC4448698

3. Peljto AL, Barker-Cummings C, Vasoli VM, Leibson CL, Hauser WA, Buchhalter JR, et al. Familial risk of epilepsy: A population-based study. Brain. 2014;137(3):795-805. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awt368 PMid:24468822 PMCid:PMC3927702

4. Kaculini CM, Tate-Looney AJ, Seifi A. The History of Epilepsy: From Ancient Mystery to Modern Misconception. Cureus [Internet]. 2021 Mar 17 [cited 2025 May 31];13(3). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.13953 PMid:33880289 PMCid:PMC8051941

5. Neligan A, Hauser WA, Sander JW. Epilepsy. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier B.V.; 2012. 113-33 p. (Handbook of Clinical Neurology; vol. 107). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-52898-8.00006-9 PMid:22938966

6. Streblus asper - Wikipedia [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 23]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streblus_asper

7. Mukherjee K, Roy LN. Chemical examination of streblus asper leaves. Pharm Biol. 1983;21(4):189-90. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880208309070642

8. Pandey MM, Rastogi S, Streblus asper: A phytochemical, ethnopharmacological and pharmacological research update Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2022; 11(3):07-18 https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2022.v11.i3a.14402

9. Neekhra S, Awasthi H, Singh D. Potential Therapeutic use of Streblus asper: A Review. International Journal of Research and Development in Pharmacy & Life Sciences. 2017 Dec;6(7):2845-9. https://doi.org/10.21276/IJRDPL.2278-0238.2017.6(7).2845-2849

10. Ren Y, Chen WL, Lantvit DD, Sass EJ, Shriwas P, Ninh TN, et al. Cardiac Glycoside Constituents of Streblus asper with Potential Antineoplastic Activity. J Nat Prod. 2017 Mar 24;80(3):648-58. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00924 PMid:27983842 PMCid:PMC5365359

11. Rastogi S, Kulshreshtha DK, Rawat AKS. Streblus asper Lour. (Shakhotaka): A review of its chemical, pharmacological and ethnomedicinal properties. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2006 Jun;3(2):217-22. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nel018 PMid:16786051 PMCid:PMC1475940

12. Gulcin İ, Alwasel SH. DPPH Radical Scavenging Assay. Processes 2023, Vol 11, Page 2248 [Internet]. 2023 Jul 26 [cited 2025 Jun 9];11(8):2248. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11082248

13. DPPH Assay - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/dpph-assay

14. Baliyan S, Mukherjee R, Priyadarshini A, Vibhuti A, Gupta A, Pandey RP, et al. Determination of Antioxidants by DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of Ficus religiosa. Molecules [Internet]. 2022 Feb 1 [cited 2025 Jun 9];27(4):1326. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041326 PMid:35209118 PMCid:PMC8878429

15. My A, Yp A, Sk A. Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Justicia procumbans leaf. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2021;7(1):41-5. https://doi.org/10.31254/jahm.2021.7109

16. (PDF) Hydrogen Peroxide Radical Scavenging and Total Antioxidant Activity of Hawthorn [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 9]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260343716_Hydrogen_Peroxide_Radical_Scavenging_and_Total_Antioxidant_Activity_of_Hawthorn

17. Hussen EM, Endalew SA. In vitro antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities of polar leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina. BMC Complement Med Ther [Internet]. 2023 Dec 1 [cited 2025 Jun 9];23(1):1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-03923-y PMid:37143058 PMCid:PMC10157976

18. Bhatti MZ, Ali A, Ahmad A, Saeed A, Malik SA. Antioxidant and phytochemical analysis of Ranunculus arvensis L. extracts. BMC Res Notes. 2015;8(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1228-3 PMid:26123646 PMCid:PMC4485861

19. Thamer FH, Thamer N. Gas chromatography - Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling reveals newly described bioactive compounds in Citrullus colocynthis (L.) seeds oil extracts. Heliyon [Internet]. 2023 Jun 1 [cited 2025 Jun 9];9(6):e16861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16861 PMid:37484228 PMCid:PMC10360964

20. Gomathi D, Kalaiselvi M, Ravikumar G, Devaki K, Uma C. GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds from the whole plant ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. J Food Sci Technol. 2013;52(2):1212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-013-1105-9 PMid:25694742 PMCid:PMC4325072

21. PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS PRESENT IN ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF LEAF AND FRUIT OF TRICHOSANTHESIS DIOICA ROXB. | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 9]. Available from: https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/phytochemical-screening-and-gc-ms-analysis-of-bioactive-compounds-present-in-ethanolic-extracts-of-leaf-and-fruit-of-trichosanthesis-dioica-roxb/

22. Oecd. OECD/OCDE 423 OECD GUIDELINE FOR TESTING OF CHEMICALS Acute Oral Toxicity-Acute Toxic Class Method INTRODUCTION. 2001.

23. Sawicka KM, Wawryniuk A, Zwolak A, Daniluk J, Szpringer M, Florek-Luszczki M, et al. Influence of Ivabradine on the Anticonvulsant Action of Four Classical Antiepileptic Drugs Against Maximal Electroshock-Induced Seizures in Mice maximal electroshock-induced seizure model was pharma-codynamic in nature. Neurochem Res. 1234;42:1038-43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-016-2136-1 PMid:28083847 PMCid:PMC5375969

24. Mombeini T, Asadpour Behzadi B, Ejtemaei R, Tahmasbi F, Kamalinejad M, Reza Dehpour A. Anti-convulsant Effect of Alcea aucheri on Pentylenetetrazole and Maximal Electroshock Seizures in Mice. Basic and Clinical Neuro-science. Basic and Clinical [Internet]. [cited 2025 Apr 16];11(3):369-78. https://doi.org/10.32598/bcn.11.2.2064.1 PMid:32963729 PMCid:PMC7502187

25. (PDF) " Evaluation Of Anti-Convulsant Activity Of Aqueous Extract Of Argyreia Nervosa Against Induce By Mes And Ptz Methods In Mice " [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 9]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313898987_Evaluation_Of_Anti-Convulsant_Activity_Of_Aqueous_Extract_Of_Argyreia_Nervosa_Against_Induce_By_Mes_And_Ptz_Methods_In_Mice

26. Fisseha N, Shibeshi W, Bisrat D. Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of 80% Methanolic Root Bark Extract and Solvent Fractions of Pentas schimperiana (A. Rich.) Vatke (Rubiaceae) in Swiss Albino Mice. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci [Internet]. 2021 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 9];2021(1):6689879. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6689879 PMid:34212153 PMCid:PMC8205597

27. Jain P, Tambe R, Sancheti J, Nahire M, Bhardwaj A, Sathaye S. Screening of Pistacia integerrima extracts for their anticonvulsant activity in acute zebrafish and rodent models of epilepsy. Int J Nutr Pharmacol Neurol Dis [Internet]. 2015 Apr 1 [cited 2025 Jun 9];5(2):56-62. https://doi.org/10.4103/2231-0738.153793

28. Venkatesan PS, Sundaresan S, Eswarya M, Madhavaselvi M, Renuka R. Evaluation of antiepileptic properties of herbal mix of different combinations by PTZ-induced mouse model. Phytomedicine Plus. 2025;5(2):100773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100773

29. Bhat JU, Nizami Q, Asiaf A, Parray SA, Ahmad ST, Aslam M, et al. Anticonvulsant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Melissa parviflora in experimentally induced Swiss albino mice. EXCLI J. 2012;11:1. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4897659/

30. Gueroui M, Kechrid Z. Evaluation of Some Biochemical Parameters and Brain Oxidative Stress in Experimental Rats Exposed Chronically to Silver Nitrate and the Protective Role of Vitamin E and Selenium. Toxicol Res. 2016;32(4):301. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2016.32.4.301 PMid:27818732 PMCid:PMC5080859

31. Mihajlović I, Maslovarić A, Mladenović A, Miljković T, Miljković N, Sokolović D. CATALASE ACTIVITY AND MALONDIALDEHYDE CONCENTRATION IN THE BRAIN TISSUE OF RATS TREATED WITH CARBON TETRACHLORIDE. Acta Medica Medianae. 2021 Dec 15;60(4):39-44. https://doi.org/10.5633/amm.2021.0406

32. Catalase activity in brain tissue homogenates expressed in U/g f.t. in... | Download Scientific Diagram [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 9]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Catalase-activity-in-brain-tissue-homogenates-expressed-in-U-g-ft-in-three-time_fig1_350099140

33. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in mice kidney, testis, brain, liver,... | Download Scientific Diagram [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 10]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Malondialdehyde-MDA-level-in-mice-kidney-testis-brain-liver-heart-and-spleen_fig3_332940231

34. Sani M, Ghanem-Boughanmi N, Gadacha W, Sebai H, Boughattas NA, Reinberg A, et al. Malondialdehyde content and circadian variations in brain, kidney, liver, and plasma of mice. Chronobiol Int. 2007;24(4):671-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420520701535720 PMid:17701679

35. Moron MS, Depierre JW, Mannervik B. Levels of glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat lung and liver. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects. 1979;582(1):67-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4165(79)90289-7

Published

2025-08-15
Statistics
Abstract Display: 388
PDF Downloads: 361
PDF Downloads: 31

How to Cite

1.
Mathur S, Tote M, Prajapati A, Kazi J, Prajapati K, Singh M. Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of Streblus asper Lour Using Experimental Lab Animals. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 15 [cited 2026 Feb. 2];15(8):130-47. Available from: https://www.jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/7327

How to Cite

1.
Mathur S, Tote M, Prajapati A, Kazi J, Prajapati K, Singh M. Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of Streblus asper Lour Using Experimental Lab Animals. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 15 [cited 2026 Feb. 2];15(8):130-47. Available from: https://www.jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/7327