Anticonvulsant effect of extract and essential oil of Coriandrum sativum seed in concious mice

Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) has been indicated for a number of medial problems in traditional medicine such as loss of appetite, convulsion, and nervousness. We have previously shown that the aqueous extract of coriander has depressant effects on motor coordination and spontaneous activity, suggesting of a possible sedative and muscle relaxant effect. These findings suggest that coriander seed may have anticonvulsant effect as indicated in traditional medicine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether the extract or essential oil of coriander seeds have anticonvulsant effect. Mice were administered the aqueous, or 70% ethanolic extract or essential oil of coriander seed (200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoenally 30 minutes before the injection of pentylenetetrazole (90 mg/kg). Diazepam (3 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. Duration of time before onset of myoclonic, clonic and tonic convulsions, and number of animals that show convulsion and the percentage of mortality were recorded. The aqueous extract, hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of coriander significantly increased the latency of myoclonic and clonic convulsions at doses of 600 and 800 mg/kg. Chi square for a linear trend showed that there is a significant linear relationship between the doses of coriander extract and essential oil and the protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced tonic convulsion and death. These findings strongly suggest that Coriandrum sativum seed possesses anticonvulsant activity and may have a value in the treatment of absence seizure.