The Effects of Nigella Sativa Hydro-alcoholic Extract on Memory and Brain Tissues Oxidative Damage after Repeated Seizures in Rats

Regarding the therapeutic properties of nigella sativa (ns), the effects of the plant hydro – alcoholic extract on learning, memory and brain tissues oxidative damage were investigated in penthylenetetrazole (ptz) - induced repeated seizures. there were 4 experimental groups including: 1- control group; received saline, 2- ptz group ; received saline and ptz (50 mg/kg, i.p) , 3-ptz- ns 200 and 4- ptz- ns 400 ; received 200 and 400 mg/kg of ns extract respectively, before ptz injection in 5 consecutive days. seizure scores were lower in ptz – ns 200 and 400, furthermore the seizure onset latencies were higher in these groups than ptz group (p<0.05 and p<0.01 ). in morris water maze, the time spent in target quadrant by ptz group was lower than control group (p<0.05); while, 400 mg/kg of the extract increased it (p<0.01). in the passive avoidance test, delay time to enter the dark by ptz group was lower than control at 1 and 24 hours after training (p<0.01- p<0.001); while, 400 mg/kg of the extract increased it (p<0.05). the total thiol concentration in hippocampal and cortical tissues of ptz group was reduced while, mda concentration was higher than control (p<0.05 - p<0.001). administration of the extract increased the total thiol and decreased the mda concentrations (p<0.01- p<0.001). it is concluded that the hydro-alcoholic extract of ns possess beneficial effects on learning and memory impairments in repeated seizures model which is accompanied by antioxidant effects in the brain.