PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF ARECA CATECHUE SEEDS EXTRACT

The conventional antiepileptic drugs (AED) have contributed significantly in the management of epilepsy. The areca nut (Areca catechu L. from the Palmaceae family) is a tropical fruit, which is also called betel nut and is widely distributed in different parts of the world. The preliminary Phytochemical studies were done in the Methanolic extract of Areca catechue leaves, the result suggest that presence of Alkaloids, Carbohydrate, flavonoids, Steroids, phenolic compounds and tannins. Methanolic extract of Areca catechue possesses anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects and these findings collaborate with the ethnomedicinal uses of this plant. The isolation of active chemicals from this plant might serve as lead compounds for the synthesis of drugs which could be used in the management of these nervous disorders.

Key words: Anticonvulsant activity, Areca catechue, Seeds extract, phytochemical screening