Protective Effect of Cucurbita maxima against Maximal Electroshock Induced Convulsions

In the present investigation, an indigenous plant, Cucurbita maxima was studied for its protective effect against maximal electroshock (MES) induced convulsions in Wistar albino rats. The rats were pretreated with different doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) of hydroalcoholic extract of seeds of Cucurbita maxima for 14 days and then, they were subjected to maximal electroshock seizures (40 mA for 0.2 sec) treatment. Hydroalcoholic extract of Cucurbita maxima seeds at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses significantly reduced the duration of hind limb extension along with the protection of rats against maximal electroshock induced seizures. The reference standard i.e., phenytoin (20 mg/kg) provided complete protection. Thus, present study revealed anticonvulsant effect of Cucurbita maxima against maximal electroshock-induced convulsions in rats.