Eighth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

Vitex negundo is documented to provide mental peace with innumerable medical properties. Extensive clinical studies as well as over two thousand years of use have proven the nutrition value and effectiveness of Vitex Species as remedy in many diseases. V. negundo contains important macro and micro elements: K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Cr. Deficiency of which causes nervous irritability, mental disorientation, may lead to insomnia and coma. Iron deficiency causes anemia, weakness, and depression while Zn deficiency causes growth delay, disturbed neurophyshological performance and other problems. V. negundo also found to contain good percentage of crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrates and proteins. Its leaves are reported to have nutritional value 151.80 Cal/100g. Now seizures are resistant to treatment with currently available drug and there is urgent need for non-toxic herbal drugs. Modest nutritional value, a good mineral content along with innumerable medicinal properties makes this plant a origin of herbal formulation. So, its extracts were tested for anticonvulsant and antioxidant properties using in-vitro and in-vivo methods. Most of extracts abolished tonic MES-induced convulsions and reduced the mortality rate to 50 %. Leaves extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o. produced significant decrease in duration of clonic phase in PTZ model. The extract of leaves and fruits showed significant antioxidant potential. It is concluded that V. negundo is having impact on tonic clonic convulsions which may be due to free radical scavenging capability and its minerals definitely plays important role in it.