INVESTIGATION OF ANTI-CONVULSANT EFFECT OF ETHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF FICUS PLATYPHYLLA IN MICE USING PENTYLENETETRAZOLE (PTZ)

ABSTRACT Epilepsy is a complex and debilitating neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal neuronal activity in the brain, affecting about 50 million individuals worldwide, with children under 7 years and adults over 55 years being at the highest risk. Ficus platyphylla Del. Holl, a plant used in Nigerian folk medicine, has shown promise in managing epilepsy, depression, and other central nervous system. This study evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of ethanol stem bark extract of Ficus platyphylla using Pentylenetetrazole. The phytochemical screening, LD50 determination and anticonvulsant screening of the extract were conducted using standard protocols. The preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis of the ethanol stem bark extract revealed the presence of tannins and saponins while alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids were absent. The median lethal dose was estimated to be 3800 mg/kg. The results demonstrated significant, dose-dependent anticonvulsant properties. At the highest tested dose (1000 mg/kg), the extract delayed seizure onset nearly 8-fold compared to the normal saline treated group. This dose also provided 66.6% protection against seizures and lowered mortality by 33.3%, whereas lower doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed no protection on mortality. Diazepam (2 mg/kg) achieved complete (100%) protection. These findings support Ficus platyphylla’s traditional use in seizure management and highlight its potential as a natural anticonvulsant source, though further research is needed to isolate the active components and optimize therapeutic dosing.