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Anticonvulsant Potential and Toxicological Profile of Verbesina persicifolia Leaf Extracts: Evaluation in Zebrafish Seizure and Artemia salina Toxicity Models

  • Carlos Alberto López-Rosas
    ,
  • Santiago González-Periañez
    ,
  • Tushar Janardan Pawar
    ,
  • Jorge Iván Zurutuza-Lorméndez
    ,
  • Fernando Rafael Ramos-Morales
    ,
  • José Luís Olivares-Romero
*Corresponding author for this work
  • Universidad Veracruzana
    ,
  • Instituto de Neurobiología de la Universidad Veracruzana
    ,
  • Instituto de Química Aplicada de la Universidad Veracruzana
    ,
  • Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Campus III, Instituto de Ecología A. C
    ,
  • Servicios de Salud de Veracruz
    ,
  • Anahuac Queretaro University
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article

Open access

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article

Original language

English

Article number

1078

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 1-17 (17 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Plants (Volume 14, Issue 7)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/04/2025

Publication status

Published - 01/04/2025

Publication IDs

  • Scopus: 105002477630

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder with significant treatment challenges, necessitating the search for alternative therapies. This study evaluates the anticonvulsant activity and toxicological profile of Verbesina persicifolia leaf extracts. Methanolic and sequential fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) were tested using a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in zebrafish (Danio rerio), measuring seizure latency, severity, and survival rates. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids, suggesting potential neuroactive properties. The hexane extracts significantly increased seizure latency and survival rates, with co-administration of hexane extract (5 µg/mL) and diazepam (35.5 µM) further enhancing these effects. Toxicity assessment in Artemia salina indicated low to moderate toxicity in methanolic extracts, while sequential fractions exhibited higher toxicity, particularly in hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. These findings suggest that V. persicifolia extracts exert anticonvulsant effects, likely through GABAergic modulation, and exhibit a favorable safety profile at therapeutic doses. The results support further investigations to isolate active constituents, confirm their mechanisms of action, and explore their potential as plant-derived anticonvulsant agents.

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