Antiepileptogenic and Neuroprotective Effects of Ziziphus jujuba Leaves Methanolic Extract Against Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Model in Mice

Ziziphus jujubahas been used for many years for its medicinal and culinary properties. The present study aimed to investigate the antiepileptogenic activity of methanolic extract of Ziziphus jujubaleaves (MEZJ) and subsequently its neuro protective action against excitotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the brain of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) –induced kindled mice. MEZJ was studied for its suppressive action on convulsion and seizure scores (antiepileptogenic effect) and protection of neurons against PTZ-induced oxidative stress injury (neuro protective effect) when given during kindling acquisition as a pretreatment before every PTZ injection. A major antiepileptic drug Diazepam was also tested for comparison. Both MEZJ and Diazepam showed antiepileptogenic activity as they caused reduction in development of seizure scores and reduced the sensitivity of kindled mice to the convulsive and lethal effects of PTZ. MEZJ and Diazepam significantly decreased oxidative stress injury in the mice brain as compared to PTZ-kindled group. MEZJ showed more neuroprotective action as compared to Diazepam as it enhanced the antioxidant enzyme levels more in the mice brain. The results obtained from the study support the hypothesis that neuro protective action of MEZJ not only correlate with its ability to inhibit ROS formation but also for its ability to suppress seizure generation.