The Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Ocimum Basilicum Green Leaf on Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizure in Male Mice

 Regarding the chronic nature of epilepsy, and drug resistance in many cases, herbal medicine has received remarkable interest.
Objective  The present study aimed to determine the anticonvulsant effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ocimum basilicum green leaf on Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure in male mice.

 In this experimental study, 48 albino male mice, weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into 6 groups. All study groups were injected intraperitoneally (IP). The negative and positive control groups received saline (10 mL/kg) and phenobarbital (40 mg/kg) respectively. The treatment groups received 100, 300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg doses of hydro-alcoholic extract Ocimum basilicum green leaf. To provoke convulsion, after 45 minutes, PTZ was injected (80 mg/kg) to all research groups; accordingly, the d initiation time of myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures and the frequency of 24h death were measured. 

 The obtained results indicated that the extract delayed the initiation time of myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures, compared with the controls. The delay was significant at doses of 1000 (P<0.001), 500, and 300 mg/kg (P<0.01) for myoclonic seizure as well as 1000, 500, and 300 mg/kg (P<0.001) and 100 mg/kg (P<0.05) for tonic-clonic seizure. Furthermore, the extract decreased the 24h death. This was significant at doses of 1000, 500, and 300 mg/kg (P<0.001).

 It seems that the hydro-alcoholic extract of Ocimum basilicum green leaf presented decremental effects on PTZ-induced seizure and death in male mice.