ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF THYMOQUINONE IN PENTYLENETETRAZOLE-INDUCED SEIZURES IN MICE

Abstract

Thymoquinone, the main constituent of Nigella sativa oil, has been reported to protect rodents against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). This narrative review summarises the published evidence on its anticonvulsant activity in PTZ-induced seizures in mice and in related models. It explains what the PTZ test measures, describes the pharmacology and formulation problems of the compound, and sets out the proposed GABAergic, opioid, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The review reports no new data. Independent studies describe consistent protection, but the work is limited by small groups, scarce randomisation and blinding, uncertain brain exposure and models of limited clinical validity.