Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological disorders, responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality due to the seizures and the available medications. 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.

Aims and Objectives: (i) To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of volatile oil extract of N. sativa seeds by maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure model of epilepsy in albino rats; (ii) To evaluate the influence of volatile oil extract of N. sativa seeds on the anticonvulsant activity of sodium valproate in albino rats.

Materials and Methods: Male Albino rats (150-200 g) were randomly selected, from Central Animal Facility, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore. The anticonvulsant activity was screened using MES-induced seizure model. Albino rats were divided into six groups of six rats each. Six groups were treated with gum acacia 0.5 ml (control group), sodium valproate 300 mg/kg (standard group), Groups 3, 4, and 5 were administered the test drug, volatile oil extract of N. sativa seeds at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg, respectively, 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 extract of N. sativa seeds showed the anticonvulsant activity in electroshock-induced seizure model at the dose of 400 and 600 mg/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 the anticonvulsant activity in MES-induced seizure model of epilepsy. This study showed that volatile oil of N. sativa seeds potentiated the effect of sodium valproate.

Key words: Nigella Sativa Seeds; Volatile Oil; Maximal Electroshock; Sodium Valproate; Tonic Hind Limb Extension