2025, Vol. 13, Issue 2, Part A

author(s)
Tharcitus Chilaka Onwudiwe, Ngozi Ukamaka Madubuogwu, Emmanuel Onyebuchi Ogbuagu, Bede Chinedu Azudialu and Princess Chinwe Ogbonna

abstract
Epilepsy often faces treatment limitations with conventional therapies, hence, prompting research for alternative solution. Ocimum gratissimum, known for its broad tradomedicinal properties in Eastern Nigeria, presents a promising variant due to its bioactive phytochemicals. This study sought to fill the gaps in existing literature regarding the traditional use of this plant as a remedy for convulsion, by investigating the anticonvulsant potential of ethanol leaf extract of Ocimum gatissimum on experimental-induced convulsions in albino rats. The methodology involved obtaining the crude extract that contained the active compounds and testing the effects on convulsions induced with picrotoxin (5 mg/kg) and isoniazid (300 mg/kg). The study found that the leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum did not significantly (p>0.05) increase seizures onset in picrotoxin model, but produces significant (p<0.05) increase in the isoniazid model. Considering that there are many epileptogenic sites and/or pathways, therefore this study concludes that ethanol leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum may utilize one of these sites or pathways as specific drug target to mediate its anticonvulsant activity, hence, the favorable response observed in isoniazid-induced convulsion, but none in picrooxin model. Further studies are recommended to unveil the molecular mechanisms of anticonvulsant activity of Ocimum gratissimum.