Evaluation of Anti-epileptic Activity of Lantana camara (Linn.) Flowers in Swiss Albino Mice

Globally, approximately 50 million people are being affected by epilepsy and nearly 80% occurring in the developing countries. The plant Lantana camara Linn. (Family: Lamiaceae) is native to the tropical regions of the America, Africa and Asia. It is found in Kumaun and Garhwal resign of Uttarakhand, India. The plant has been used for various ailments in traditional systems of medicines for the treatment of epilepsy, wounds, tumor, stomach-ache and inflammation. The present study was planned with an objective to evaluate anti-epileptic activity of Lantana camara flowers in mice. Maximum electric shock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole induced (PTZ) model of epilepsy were employed in the present study. Amongst, the various extracts prepared viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous, only ethanol and chloroform extract by successive solvent extraction method showed significant anti-epileptic activity in MES and PTZ model of epilepsy. Highest anti-epileptic activity (P < 0.05) was shown by ethanol extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg whereas chloroform extract showed moderate anticonvulsant effect at 200 mg/kg dose. The findings of present study lead to conclusion that ethanol extract of Lantana camara flowers showed potent anti-epileptic activity which scientifically, validates the traditional claim of Lantana camara for the treatment of epilepsy.