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Abstract

To evaluate the anticonvulsant property of Zingiber officinale as well as its interaction with conventional anticonvulsant drug using Maximal electroshock seizures (MES) model and to evaluate possible mechanism involved in its action. Method: The present study was done after getting ethical clearance. The rhizomes of ginger were authenticated and extraction of dried rhizomes was done by using Soxhlet apparatus to obtain its ethanolic extract. Animals were divided into 4 groups using Phenytoin (25 mg/kg) as the standard drug. The alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale was given at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. The test samples will be given one hour prior to induction of convulsions. Results: In MES model, the alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg p.o significantly reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension (THLE) in mice (P<0.05) in a dose dependent manner as compared to the vehicle control. The extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight is found to be effective nearly similar to that of standard drug Phenytoin. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale showed significant anticonvulsant activity in Maximal electroshock seizures (MES) model. INTRODUCTION: Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, is one of the commonly used species of the ginger family Zingiberaceae and is used for various foods and beverages 1. Although probably a native of Asia, Z. officinale has become naturalized in many countries and is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Ginger has been cultivated for thousands of years for medicinal purposes and as a spice. It is used extensively in traditional medicine to treat cold, fever, headache, nausea, and digestive problems and is also used in western herbal medical practices for the treatment of arthritis, rheumatic disorders, and muscular discomfort 2 .