Anticonvulsant effects of coriandrum sativum L.seed extracts in mice

Coriander [vernacular Geshniz] seeds have been traditionally used in Iranian medicine for their carminative, diuretic and anticonvulsant effects. The anticonvulsant effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum seeds were studied in mice in order to evaluate the folkloric use of this plant. Two anticonvulsant evaluation tests, namely the pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] and the maximal electroshock tests, were used for assessing antiseizure effects. In the pentylenetetrazole test, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts prolonged the onset of clonic convulsions and the anticonvulsant activity of high dose extracts [5 mg/kg] were similar to that of phenobarbital at a dose of 20 mg/kg in the PTZ test. Both extracts in high doses decreased the duration of tonic seizures and showed a statistically significant anticonvulsant activity in the maximal electroshock test. Results indicate that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. sativum seeds may have a beneficial effect in petit mal and grand mal seizures