Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity and HPLC–DAD Profiling of Achillea fragrantissima (Gaisoom) Extracts Growing in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia <em>Achillea fragrantissima</em> is a fragrant, perennial herb has long been used medicinally for its analgesic properties among Rafha residents. The present study concluded that <em>Achillea fragrantissima</em> (Gaisoom) possess a potent anticonvulsant activity against PTZ induced seizures which may be due to GABAA agonistic activity and /or antioxidant activity. The results of the current study showed that the ethanolic extract of Gaisoom at doses of 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg has anticonvulsant activity in pentylenetetrazole and maximum electroshock induced seizures models on mice. The Hexane extract have protected the mice against pentylenetetrazole – induced seizures with 100% protection rate and 100% animal survival similar to the anticonvulsant drug phenobarbital. HPLC–DAD fingerprints of different fractions were also carried out to find the pharmacological active compound. The studies are in progress to isolate the compounds by HPLC technique. Supplementary studies are required to explain the exact mechanism of action by which Gaisoom act as an anticonvulsant agent.