Anticonvulsant and neurotoxicity profile of the rhizome of Smilax china Linn. in mice

OBJECTIVE: To study the anticonvulsant activity and neurotoxicity of ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of the rhizome of Smilax china (EESC and EAF, respectively) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anticonvulsant activities of EESC and EAF were studied against maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice and neurotoxicity was determined using rotarod test. RESULTS: The duration of hindleg extension in MES test was reduced significantly (P < 0.001) by EESC at a dose level of 400 mg/kg and EAF at both higher dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg). In PTZ model, the seizure latency was prolonged by all the test groups. CONCLUSION: The EESC and EAF may help to control petit mal and grand mal seizures.