Pharmacological Studies on Khamira Marwarid: Effect on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures, Cognition and Biochemical Markers in Mice

Cognitive impairment in epileptics may be a consequence of the epileptogenic process as well as antiepileptic medication. Thus, there is need for drugs, which can suppress epileptogenesis as well as prevent cognitive impairment. In the present study, the effect of Khamira Marwarid (KAH1), a formulation based on Indian system of Unani medicine, was evaluated on the course of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, learning deficit and oxidative stress markers in mice. Male albino mice were injected PTZ (65 mg/kg sc) on the 5th day of the treatment for the development of seizures. Spontaneous Alternation Behaviour was carried out on the 1st and the 5th day of the treatment after PTZ administration, while the oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde and glutathione) were measured in the whole brain upon the completion of the behavioural assessment. The administration of Khamira Marwarid (KAH1), 50 mg/kg significantly decreased the PTZ-induced seizures and showed improvement in the learning deficit induced by PTZ as evidenced by the increased latency time and frequency of jerks and improvement in SAB. The findings suggest the potential of Khamira Marwarid (KAH1) as adjuvant to antiepileptic drugs with an added advantage of preventing cognitive impairment.