Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cinnamomum on Strychnine-Induced Seizure in Mice

Background: Seizure is defined as abnormal electrical discharges of neurons in central nervous system (CNS) that leads to a temporary dysfunction of brain. Cinnamomum is an herbal medicine used in Chinese and Indian alternative medicine as a sedative agent. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum on strychnine-induced seizure. Methods: Forty male mice weighting 25-35 g, were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups of 8. The animals received either extract vehicle [dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + saline], cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) or diazepam (10 mg/kg), as the positive control, intraperitoneally. In all groups, thirty minutes later, strychnine (1.5 mg/kg) was injected and the seizure latency and duration and the mortality rate were registered. Findings: The seizure latency significantly delayed in animals treated with 200 or 400 mg/kg of cinnamomum extract compared to the control. In addition, the seizure attacks reduced by 25% and 37.5% in animals received 200 or 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. The above treatment reduced strychnine-induced mortality compared to the control group. Conclusion: We found that hydroalcoholic cinnamomum extract could prevent the strychnine-induced seizure.