Phytoconstituent, Toxicity Evaluation and Antiepileptic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Mucuna pruriens

Abstract

Medicinal plants continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of diseases due to their rich phytochemical profiles and pharmacological potential. Mucuna pruriens is traditionally used in African ethnomedicine for neurological conditions, including seizures. This study evaluated the phytoconstituents, acute toxicity, and antiepileptic activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of M. pruriens. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. Quantitative analysis showed high concentration of alkaloids (435.00 ± 0.00 mg/g) and phenolics (376.67 ± 2.31mg/g), which are known to exert central nervous system (CNS) effects. Acute toxicity testing revealed no mortality up to 5000 mg/kg orally (p.o), classifying the extract as practically non-toxic. Anticonvulsant activity was assessed using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and strychnine (STR). The extract completely abolished PTZ-induced seizures (100% protection) and significantly delayed STR-induced convulsions (65% protection), compared to standard drug (diazepam) suggesting modulation of GABAergic and glycinergic pathways. The findings support the ethnomedicinal use of M. pruriens in epilepsy management.