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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the anti - anxiety and anticonvulsant effect of Shilajit.
Methods: The anticonvulsant effect of the Shilajit (100 and 200 mg/kg) were evaluated in rat using the Maximal electroshock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure models. Standard drug taken for MES model was Phenytoin 20mg/kg. In PTZ model standard drug taken was diazepam 5mg/kg. Anxiolytic activity was evaluated in rat using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field test. Diazepam 2mg/kg was taken as standard anxiolytic drug in both the models.
Results: in MES model Shilajit significantly decreased duration of tonic hind limb flexion (sec.), duration of tonic hind limb extension (sec.) clonus (sec.) and strupor (sec.) phase. In PTZ model it significantly delayed onset of clonus and tonic convulsion in a dose dependent manner. In EPM number of entry to open arm and average time spent in open arm significantly increased. In Open field test number of squares crossed and number of rearing are significantly increased.
Conclusion: It is concluded that Shilajit possess significant anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant activity.