ABSTRACT
56Epilepsy is a widely prevalent neurological condition characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures. The most common therapeutic intervention in this disorder is the use of traditional and new generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Although these agents are generally effective, a large fraction of affected population still remains refractory to these treatments. Phytomedicines offer an alternative approach in this regard and these have been recognized by the WHO in having a potential role in the pharmacotherapy of patients resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs. Phenotypic screening in established animal models has exhibited anticonvulsant activity in the extracts of several hundreds of plant species. Some of these plant extracts have been shown to possess anticonvulsant efficacy comparable to the synthetic AEDs. Although, majority of studies have been carried out on the plant extracts, in recent years, the focus has expanded towards isolation and evaluation of active phytoconsituents present in these plants as antiepileptic drugs. Recently, the bioassay-guided fractionation of plant extracts has aided the isolation and identification of several potent anticonvulsant phytoconstituents. Various bioflavonoids, terpenoids, cannabinoids, quinones, alkaloids, phenolics, and antioxidants like Vitamin E have been established as potent antiepileptic agents in various studies and hence, these could usher in a newer alternative era to the traditional antiepileptic therapy. This chapter intends to explore and give an overview of the various phytoconstituents which hold promise as anticonvulsant agents.
