Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of methanolic extract of Cinnamomum camphora leaves in rat brain

The aim of this study was to investigate the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of methanolic extract of Cinnamomum camphora leaves (MECC) in albino wistar rats against maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) models. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress parameters like malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated in the brains after completion of the anticonvulsant studies. MECC (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) exhibited anticonvulsant activity as indicated by significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) reduction in the duration of hind limb tonic extensor phase in MES induced seizure model and significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) increased the time of onset of clonic convulsion, decreased the duration of seizures, increased the % protection and decreased the percent mortality in a dose dependent manner. MECC (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) exhibited neuroprotective activity as indicated by significant reduction in MDA levels, AChE activity and increased GSH level also in a dose dependent manner. These results indicate that MECC may exert anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects which may be attributed to the increase in the level of GABA, inhibition of AChE and inflammation and antioxidant activity in the brain.