Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Ziziphus spina christi Attenuates Pentylenetetrazole-induced Kindling in Male Mice -

Epilepsy is a common brain disorder that is not quite controlled via available antiepileptic drugs. It is distinguished by imbalance between excitatory neurotransmitters and that of inhibitory. Inflammatory events seem to be involved in pathophysiology of epileptic seizures and giving rise to neuronal cell death. Moreover, Ziziphus spina christi, is one of widely available Iraqi trees and its leaves have several effects including anti-inflammatory. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of crude extract of Ziziphus spina christi in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling and its underlying mechanisms. Brain tissues of forty albino male mice were exposed to histopathological as well as immunohistochemical test for NMDA receptors and NLRP3 inflammasome expression. The results found that crude Ziziphus spina christi extract downregulates the expression of the studied markers with remarkable difference in relation to induction group. The findings of the study suggest that the oral administration of crude extract of Ziziphus spina christi leaves is effective in protection against in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindled in male mice.