ABSTRACT:
Borago officinalis is a herb used for medicinal and food purposes. The aims of this research are to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic extract of the Borago officinalis on the convulsion in mice. Forty male mice were used in this study. Group 1: The mice received lidocaine, 50mg/kg, IP. Group 2: The mice were pretreated diazepam, 2mg/kg, IP, single dose 30 minutes before induction of convulsion by lidocaine in dose of 50mg/kg, IP, single dose. Group 3, group 4, and group 5: The mice received extract of Borago officinalis, 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300 mg/kg respectively for 10 days as single daily dose. In 10th day, the mice received lidocaine, 50mg/kg 30 minutes after the last dose of Borago officinalis. The time of onset of ataxia significantly increased in the group 2 as compared to group 1, group 3, group 4, and group 5 (P <0.05). While the time of onset of ataxia significantly decreased in the group 5 as compared to group 1 and group 2 (P < 0.05). The time of loss of right reflex significantly increased ( P < 0.05 ) in the group 2 as compared to group 1, group 3, group 4, and group 5. While the time of loss of right reflex significantly decreased ( P< 0.05 ) in the group 5 as compared to group 1 and group 2. The duration of convulsion significantly decreased ( P < 0.05 ) in the group 2 as compared to group 1, group 3, group 4, and group 5. While the duration of convulsion significantly increased in the group 5 as compared to group 1 and group 2 ( P< 0.05 ) . The extract of Borago officinalis showed a potential epliptogenic effect on lidocaine-induce convulsion.