Islam MH, Ahmad IZ, Salman MT. Neuroprotective effectsof Nigella sativa extracts during germination on central nervous system. Phcog
Mag 2015;11:182-9.
Background: Nigella sativa Linn. which has many acclaimed medicinal properties is an indigenous
herbaceous plant and belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which grows in countries bordering
the Mediterranean Sea, Pakistan and India. Objective: This study was designed to investigate
the effects of N. sativa seed extracts of different germination phases on the central nervous
system (CNS) responses in experimental animals.
Materials and Methods: Anxiolytic, locomotor
activity of extracts (1 g/kg of body weight) was evaluated in both stressed and unstressed animal
models and antiepileptic effect was evaluated by maximal electroshock seizure model keeping
diazepam (20 mg/kg) as a positive control. Antidepressant effect was evaluated by forced swim
test and tail suspension test keeping imipramine (15 mg/kg) as a positive control.
Results: All
tested extracts of N. sativa during different phases of germination (especially 5th day germination
phase) showed significant (P < 0.001) anxiolytic effect in comparison to control. Diazepam
reduced locomotor activity in control (unstressed) rats but did not show affect in stressed rats
while N. sativa extracts from germination phases significantly (P < 0.001) reduced locomotor
activity in unstressed as well as stressed animals. All the extracts of N. sativa from different
germination phases exhibited significant (P < 0.001) reduction in various phases of epileptic
seizure on comparison with the reference standard (diazepam). During antidepressant test, N. sativa
extracts exhibited a slight reduction in the immobility of rats.
Conclusion: During germination,
especially in 5th day germination extract, N. sativa showed significant CNS depressant activity
as compared to whole seeds that possibly may be due higher content of secondary metabolites
produced during germination.
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