330 International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research 2019; 11(6): 330-336 RESEARCH ARTICLE ISSN: 0975-248X CODEN (USA): IJPSPP Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp. In Rodents Ankita Prakash Kore * , Nilofar Shahnwaj Naikwade, Padma Laxmikant Ladda, Tabbasum Shabbirahmad Shikalgar, Shirish Sidgonda Patil Department of Pharmacology, Appasaheb Birnale College of Pharmacy (ABCP), Sangli-416416, Maharashtra, India Copyright © 2019 Ankita Prakash Kore et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. ABSTRACT Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp. is the perennial plant belongs to family Fabaceae, commonly called as Pigeon pea plant. The presence of phytoconstituents like flavonoids, the flavanone (substituted) from Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp. have in vitro neuroactive property. This flavanone named as pinostrobin helps to inhibit voltage – gated sodium channels. Because of its bioactive phytoconstituents it may act as antiepileptic drug. To avoid problems like ADR herbal plant might be alternative to treat epilepsy. The current study was therefore carried out to evaluate antiepileptic activity of Ethanolic extract of leaves of Cajanus cajan in rodents. The effect of ELECC in MES-induced convulsions in rat and PTZ-induced convulsion in mice was evaluated using doses 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for 7 days. Phenytoin (25 mg/kg), Diazepam (4 mg/kg) was used as standard drug for respective model. Depending on the model, outcome measures were abolishment of Hind Limb Tonic Extensor phase in MES-induced convulsion in rat and onset of latency, recovery or death in PTZ-induced convulsion in mice as well as biochemical estimation of amino acid neurotransmitter (GABA, Glutamate) were evaluated. The ELECC at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly delayed the HLTE phase in MES-induced convulsions in rat whereas, significantly increased onset of latency in PTZ-induced convulsion in mice. It also showed significant (p>0.0001) effect on the level of GABA and Glutamate in dose dependent manner in both models. The phytochemical study of C. cajan showed the presence of Glycosides, Flavonoids, Flavonones, Steroids, Tannins, Fixed oil, Fatty acids and Proteins. As the flavonoids present in C. cajan may contribute to the anticonvulsant activity of the plant. Therefore, the presence of such compounds in the extract may be responsible for the anticonvulsant effect. Therefore, present study validates its anticonvulsant activity. Further, research is required to elucidate its specific mechanism of action and isolation of responsible active principles. Keywords: Epilepsy, Antiepileptic drugs, Ethanolic extract, Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp. DOI: 10.25004/IJPSDR.2019.110608 Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Drug Res. 2019; 11(6): 330-336 *Corresponding author: Ms. Ankita Prakash Kore Address: Department of Pharmacology, Appasaheb Birnale College of Pharmacy (ABCP), Sangli-416416, Maharashtra, India Tel.: +91-9970666697 E-mail : koreankita1@gmail.com Relevant conflicts of interest/financial disclosures: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Received: 29 August, 2019; Revised: 19 October, 2019; Accepted: 30 October, 2019; Published: 30 November, 2019 INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is the common neurological abnormality. It is a hyper-excitation of neurons in the brain which leads to altered behaviour with/without violent motor activity. [1] Literally “Epilepsy” is a Greek word which is derived from ‘epilambanein’ meaning ‘to be