EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF ANNONA-MURICATA ON PENTYLENETETRAZOL-INDUCED CONVULSIVE SEIZURES IN MICE

The effects of an ethanol extract of the mature leaves of Annona muric ata (Annonaceae), were investigated on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced clonic-tonic seizures in mice. The latency of clonic PTZ seizures and the incidence of clonic and tonic episodes of PTZ seizures were analy sed. The results demonstrated that the plant extract significantly red uced the incidence of tonic PTZ seizures and mortality and lengthened the onset to clonic PTZ seizures. This study indicates that extract of the leaves of A. muricata contains active substance(s) that preferent ially suppressed the tonic phase of PTZ-induced clonic-tonic seizures. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.