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

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