Anticonvulsant and GABAnergic Activity of Nigella sativa oil in Mice

Abstract

Several experimental studies have described neuroprotective and antioxidant activity of plant extracts and its oil as Nigella sativa. The existing study was conducted to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of Nigella sativa oil. Fifty five male albino mice were used through three experiments; each experiment was taken 1 week. The experiments were pentylenetetrazole induced convulsion, maximal electric shock induced convulsion and neurotoxicity tests. Mice were treated with Nigella sativa oil 10 ml/kg; using sodium valproate (100 mg/kg) and phenytoin sodium (25 mg/kg) orally as standard drugs. In pentylenetetrazole induced convulsion, onset of seizure and generalized seizures were measured, beside the gamma aminobutyric acid and antioxidant enzymes levels assessments. In maximal electric shock, mice were observed for hind limb tonic convulsion. Nigella sativa oil significantly delayed seizure onset after pentylenetetrazole induced convulsion but had no effect on electric shock induced convulsion. Nigella sativa showed a good antioxidant activity and increased gamma amino butyric acid level in brain and had neuroprotective effects.