The Anticonvulsant and analgesic activities of Alysicarpus vaginalis ethanol leaf extract in experimental animals

Epilepsy and pain-related disorders constitute a major global health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to effective and affordable therapies remains limited. Medicinal plants continue to provide valuable sources of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic relevance.This study evaluated the anticonvulsant and analgesic activities of the ethanol leaf extract of A. vaginalis using established animal models. Fresh leaves of A. vaginalis were extracted with ethanol and subjected to phytochemical screening and acute toxicity testing. 30 mice were randomized and separated into 5 groups of 6 mice each. Group 1 representing the negative control group and was pre-treated with of distilled water, while group 2, 3 and 4 were pre-treated with graded doses of the ethanol leaf extract of A. vaginalis. All administrations were given per-oral. The 5th group of mice (positive control group) was pre-treated with Sodium valproate. Anticonvulsant activity was assessed using pentylenetetrazole- and isoniazid-induced seizure models in mice, while analgesic activity was also evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception models in rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, and glycosides. The extract significantly delayed seizure onset and reduced seizure duration in a dose-dependent manner. Significant inhibition of nociceptive responses was observed in both peripheral and central pain models. Acute toxicity studies indicated safety at 5000 mg/kg in mice. The findings demonstrate that A. vaginalis possesses significant anticonvulsant and analgesic activities, supporting its traditional use and warranting further pharmacological and clinical investigations.