Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology

Attenuating effects of Nigella sativa on cognitive dysfunction, hippocampal oxidative stress and neurodegeneration following status epilepticus in young male rats

Joint Event on 11^th International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacology and Ethnopharmacology & International Conference on Pharmaceutical Oncology

July 18-19, 2018 | Atlanta, USA

Mohammad Ahmad

King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Clin Exp Pharmacol

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The lithium-pilocarpine model of Status Epilepticus (SE) is most suitable and is frequently used for pathophysiological and management strategies in search of new, safe and effective therapeutic agents for SE. Recent studies have shown a significant potential of the pharmacological, prophylactic and therapeutic use of Nigella sativa (habba sauda) seed extract (NSE) for many beneficial activities in the body including neuroprotection from neurodegenerative diseases and have antioxidant property. Methodology: In the present study we investigated the effects of NSE on intensity and frequency of SE, cognitive behavioral dysfunction, hippocampal oxidative stress and histological abnormalities in the hippocampus of animals induced with SE by lithium (Li) in 3mgEq/ml/kg dose, i.e. followed 20h later by pilocarpine (Pc) in 20mg/ml/kg dose, s.c. NSE was administered intraperitoneally at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/mL/kg, 30 minutes before Pc injection. Mortality (if any) within 24 hours was also recorded. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee review board of the college, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: Treatment with NSE significantly ameliorated the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures in a dose-dependent manner. The cognitive dysfunctions were improved, hippocampal oxidative stress was ameliorated and neuronal cell loss and sprouting of mossy fibers in the hippocampus were also attenuated significantly and dose-dependently by NSE. Conclusion and Significance: Possibly, therapeutic application of Nigella sativa seed as an antiepileptic and as an antioxidant for the treatment of SE has a great potential and warrants further studies.

Biography :

Mohammad Ahmad has worked with many experimental models to carry out research studies on various neurological diseases of human health importance. His particular interest lies in correlating his research findings in perspective of Nursing care and infusing more interest in Nursing research activities. After doing his Ph.D. he visited Queen's University of Belfast, UK. to persuade his Post-Doctoral studies on the ultrastructural anatomy and neurophysiology of helminth parasites of health importance. He has a vast experience of research and teaching. At present, he is an Associate Professor in Medical Surgical Department of Nursing College, King Saud University teaching courses of Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Medical Microbiology. He has published more than 60 papers and is in the Editorial and Review Boards of many international journals of repute and high impact factors.

E-mail: mbadshah@ksu.edu.sa