Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of Pongamia pinnata Linn in experimental animals.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the anticonvulsant efficacy of the leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata using maximal electroshock-induced seizure (MES) in mice. Pongamia pinnata is an indigenous plant belonging to the family Fabaceae (Papilionaceae) commonly known as Karanj. Freshly powdered leaves were evenly packed in soxhlet apparatus and extraction was done with 70% ethanol. The electric shock applied (150 mA for 0.2 s) through corneal electrodes to wistar albino mice produced convulsion and those showing response were divided into three groups of six animals each. The group I treated with 1% normal saline (1ml/100gm, orally), Groups II treated with phenytoin sodium (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and Groups III treated with ethanolic extract of PPLE at a dose of (250 mg/kg i.p.). The ethanolic extract showed significant anticonvulsant activity by lowering the duration of extension phase (4.12 ± 0.67) when compared to control group (9.64 ± 0.41). These significant results indicate that the anticonvulsant action of Pongamia pinnata leaf extract on mice, probably due to the presence of flavonoids.