Potential Efficacy of Ocimum sanctum Hydro-Alcoholic Leaf Extract as an Adjuvant Role with Phenobarbital: Acute Models of Epilepsy on Mice

Aim: In Ayurveda, various Ocimum species have therapeutic potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of some antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy. O. sanctum has two flavonoid compounds that are orientin and vicenin, and both are responsible for their anti-seizure properties in epilepsy. Material and Methods: The ultraviolet spectroscopy instrument was used to detect the absorbance of light by the active constituent present in the herbal extract at various concentrations. A turbidity meter was used to detect the amount of turbidity in the sample. Phenobarbital (PB 40 mg/kg, per oral [p.o.]) and O. sanctum hydroalcoholic leaf extract (OSHE 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered every other day for 2 weeks in which two acute models, maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), models of epilepsy were used. Result: The outcome result data were statistically compared and showed Tukey test P < 0.05 of significant anticonvulsive activity as compared to control and standard (phenobarbitone). Conclusion: We have investigated the anti-seizure activity of PB with hydroalcoholic leaves extract of O. sanctum L. by using the electrically maximal electroshock seizure and chemically (PTZ) induced convulsion acute models of epilepsy on mice. As per the histopathological study, photomicrographs (×40) of mice brain tissue showed no neuronal degenerations or focal microglia sensitivities in OSHE + PB treated group. We concluded that the standard drug exhibits a synergistic effect with OSHE for the treatment of acute seizures in mice.