Potentiation of Valproate-induced Anticonvulsant Response by Nigella sativa Seed Constituents:

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated antiepileptic effects of the main constituents of Nigella sativa (NS) seed (i.e. aqueous extract
(AE), xed oil (FO), volatile oil (VO)) and the main components of its VO (i.e. thymoquinone, -pinene and p-cymene) using
pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced convulsions. The potential of these constituents to induce
minimal neurological decit (MND) was also evaluated by using chimney test.
Except for the FO, all of the NS seed constituents protected mice effectively against PTZ-induced convulsions. The activity of the
VO in this model maybe attributed mainly to its content of thymoquinone and p-cymene and to a lesser extent, -pinene. VO and
its component p-cymene effectively suppressed convulsions induced by MES. The contents of p-cymene present in the effective
dose of the VO maybe partially responsible for its anti-seizure effects.
All of the NS seed constituents induced varying degrees of MND in the chimney test. MND induced by VO may pertain to its
contents of thymoquinone (63%), p-cymene (23%) and -pinene (<14%). Protective indices of p-cymene and thymoquinone were
closer to one, but only in PTZ model.
Exploration on the role of receptors suggests that picrotoxin and bicuculline-sensitive GABA receptors, most probably GABAA
receptors, mediate an increase in GABAergic response. In the part dealing with the interaction of valproate with thymoquinone, it
can be mentioned that thymoquinone increased the potency of valproate in both PTZ and MES models.
Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Maximal electroshock seizure, Nigella sativa, Pentylenetetrazole, Potentiation, Valproate.
Abbreviations: Nigella sativa = NS; aqueous extract = AE; xed oil = FO; volatile oil = VO; pentylenetetrazole = PTZ; maximal
electroshock seizure = MES; protective indices = PIs; minimal neurological decit = MND.
Rasa, M., Alghasham, A. A., Alorainy, M. S., & El-Hadiyah, T. M. (2008). Potentiation of Valproate-induced Anticonvulsant Response by Nigella sativa Seed Constituents:. International Journal of Health Sciences, 2(1). Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/65
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