Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of volatile oil extract of Nigella sativa seeds by chemically induced seizure model in albino rats

Background: The current therapeutic treatment of epilepsy with modern antiepileptic drugs is associated with side effects, dose related chronic toxicity, teratogenic effects and approximately 30% of the patients have intractable seizures. Natural products from folk remedies have contributed significantly in the discovery of modern drugs with novel structures and better safety and efficacy profiles. In this regard, one such plant is Nigella sativa. Objectives of the study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of volatile oil extract of Nigella sativa seeds by pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model of epilepsy in albino rats and to evaluate the influence of volatile oil extract of Nigella sativa seeds on the anticonvulsant activity of sodium valproate in albino rats.Methods: Male Albino rats (150-200 gms) were randomly selected, from central animal facility, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore. The anticonvulsant activity was screened using pentylenetetrazole model. Albino rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. 6 groups were treated with gum acacia 0.5 ml (control group), sodium valproate 300mg/kg (standard group), groups 3, 4, 5 were administered the test drug, volatile oil extract of Nigella sativa seeds at doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg and group 6 was treated with the combination of test drug, volatile oil extract of N. sativa seeds 200 mg/kg and sodium valproate 150 mg/kg. All the drugs were dissolved in gum acacia and administered intraperitoneally 30 min prior to induction of seizures.Results: The volatile oil of N. sativa seeds showed anticonvulsant activity at the dose of 400 mg/kg and 600mg/kg body weight and the potentiation of anticonvulsant activity of sodium valproate. The anticonvulsant activity of volatile oil of N. sativa seeds was less when compared to sodium valproate.Conclusions: The N. sativa seeds showed anticonvulsant activity in pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model of epilepsy. This study showed that volatile oil of N. sativa seeds potentiated the effect of sodium valproate