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Ph.D.
(Pharmacy)
INVESTIGATION OF ANTICONVULSANT AND ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT
OF PASSIFLORA ALATA USING IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO MODELS

Ph.D. Scholar : Lodhi Rubeeya Nazirullakhan
Research Supervisor : Dr. Nilesh J. Patel

Regi. No.: 19276011002
Abstract :
Objective: Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder, and its management typically
requires using prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to control seizures effectively.
Passiflora alata, the winged-stem passionflower has a long history of traditional use in
various cultures, including as a sedative, anxiolytic, antispasmodic, and analgesic agent.
In recent years, scientific evidence indicating the utility of this plant in the treatment of
anxiety and epilepsy prompted us to investigate it for convulsion and anxiety with
different experimental screening methods.

Methodology: The dried plant powder was extracted using Soxhlet utilising four different
solvents. The preliminary phytochemical screening results provide an initial insight into
the types of phytochemicals present in the different parts of the plant, which can be
useful in identifying potential bioactive compounds. Estimation of total phenolic, total
tannin and total flavonoid was carried out, followed by in-vitro antioxidant activity by
DPPH antiradical assay, NO scavenging assay, Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and
Superoxide radical scavenging assay.

TLC studies and HPTLC study performed to support the previous findings and to set up
phytochemical profile of plant. Acute oral toxicity study of Passiflora alata was carried
out according to OECD 423 guideline in rat and two doses were selected 200 and 400
mg/kg to reveal its therapeutics effect.

The present study investigated the protective effect of the methanolic extract of
Passiflora alata against antianxiety and anti-convulsant activity. Different in vitro & in vivo
screening methods like GABA receptor binding assay, AchE inhibition assay, elevated plus
maze model, open field test, rota rod test, Maximal electrical shock methods and
Pentylenetetrazole indued convulsion screening methods were used to assess the
therapeutic potential of plant parts. Estimation of biochemical parameters were checked
by determination of super oxide dismutase, catalase and MDA level in rat brain
homogenate. Levels od Acetylcholine and dopamine also checked to confirm the
pharmacological effects.

Results & Discussion: The outcomes from this investigation suggest that the methanolic
extracts of P. alata leaves at the dose of 400mg/kg could be efficacious in managing
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