Protective effect of ginger against the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold model in streptozocin treated-diabetic mice

Introduction: There is evidence that diabetes affects seizure susceptibility. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) which is used in traditional medicine has antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seizure threshold induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in diabetic mice after induction of diabetes with streptozocin and to examine the possible role of ginger extract in this manner. Methods: The anticonvulsant effect of ginger was investigated using i.v. PTZ-induced seizure models in non-diabetic and diabetic mice. Different doses of the hydroethanolic extract of ginger (50 and 100 mg/kg; i.p.) were administered daily for 2 weeks before PTZ challenge. The effect of ginger on the appearance of three separate seizure endpoints e.g. myoclonic, generalized clonic, and tonic extension phase were recorded. Results: The results showed that the ginger extract has anticonvulsant effects in the experimental model of seizure tested as it significantly increased the seizure threshold. Diabetic animal’s shows high blood glucose level and lower seizure threshold compared with non-diabetic control animals. Hydroethanolic extract of ginger significantly increased the onset time of myoclonic seizure (p < 0.001) and significantly prevented generalized clonic (p < 0.001) and forelimb tonic extension (p < 0.001) seizure induced by PTZ in both non-diabetic and diabetic animals compared with control group. Conclusion: Based on the results, the hydroethanolic extract of ginger has anticonvulsant effects in diabetic mice, possibly through hypoglycemic effect, antioxidant mechanisms, and oxidative stress inhibition.