Neurotransmitter modulation and stress hormone regulation of Capparis zeylanica L. in epilepsy induced mice models

Capparis zeylanicaL. (Capparideaceae), is regionally known for its anticonvulsant activity in folk medicine and as an ingredient in various Ayurvedic preparations. This study was designed to screen the anticonvulsant activity of C. zeylanica stem bark ethanolic extract using strychnine (1 mg/kg) induced convulsions in Swiss albino mice. To screen its anticonvulsant activity, the extracts were assessed in comparison to standard diazepam treated group. The influence of stress hormone corticosterone was evaluated in maximal electroshock induced mice. Anxiolytic activity is assessed in other four groups where elevated pulse mazes (EPM) and open field are employed and anxiolytic activity is screened in comparison to standard drug. After behavioral assessments, the animals were sacrificed. Brains were isolated and homogenized, various neurotransmitter levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured. C. zeylanica extract significantly increases the time in onset of seizure, decreased the duration of seizure and mortality in strychnine induced mice when compared to standard drug diazepam treated animals. The extract also showed significant anxiolytic activity on EPM and open field in comparison to diazepam, and the blood corticosterone and brain glutamate concentration were well attenuated. These reports suggest that the ethanolic extract could be a therapeutic agent for treating stress related convulsions and other epileptic convulsions.