Neuroprotection ‐ A role played by Acorus calamus in experimental temporal lobe epilepsy

The main aim of the present work is to study the effect of Acorus calamus, a polyherbal drug which is believed in India to have neuronal effect in improving the memory, mental disability, epilepsy and helps in sharpening the intellect. Acorus calamus is a combination of a number of herbs like Ashwagantha, Brahmi, Jatamasi etc., which are believed to have neuroprotective effect. 50 adult male and female albino rats of 250–300gms were selected for the present study. Kainic acid, an excitatory neurotoxin has been injected stereotaxically and neural damage was induced in CA1 region of hippocampus which is the main area for learning and memory. Kainic acid produces status epilepticus and damage the neurons. As a preliminary study the animals were treated with kainic acid and were observed for their behavioural and memory status. The histological and morphometrical parameters were studied in both control and kainic acid treated group of animals. The results will be compared and presented in the conference.