Effect of extract and essential oil of Coriandrum sativum seed against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure

Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) has been indicated for a number of medical problems in traditional medicine such as relief of insomnia, anxiety and convulsion. The aim of this study was to examine whether the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts or essential oil of coriander seeds have anticonvulsant effect in mice. Anticonvulsant effects of extracts and essential oil were assessed by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion. Male mice were received the aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts or essential oil of coriander seeds or vehicle intraperitoneally 30 minutes before the injection of pentylenetetrazole (85 mg/kg).Diazepam (3 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. The onset time of myoclonic, clonic and tonic convulsions, the numbers of animals shown convulsion and the percentage of mortality were recorded. A significant linear relationship between the doses of the coriander extracts and essential oil and the protection against PTZ-induced tonic convulsion and death was observed (p<0.001). ED50 for protection against PTZ-induced death were 327, 560 and 646 mg/kg for aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts and essential oil, respectively. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts and essential oil of coriander seeds increased the onset time of myoclonic and clonic convulsions dose dependently (p<0.05). These results suggest that the extracts and essential oil of coriander seeds possess anticonvulsant activity. However, it is suggested that the major active component(s) responsible for the anticonvulsant effects is(are) mainly present in the aqueous extract.