Effect of Vanillin on Electrical and Chemical Induced Seizures in Rodents

Vanilla planifolia grown for its attractive aroma has rich medicinal value as evidenced by its antimutagenic, antinvasive, anti-metastatic, antinociceptive property and protection against amygdala-kindled seizures. Lack of scientific data authentifying its antiepileptic potential prompted us to evaluate its antiepileptic activity in chemically and electrically induced seizures. Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats of either sex (n=6) were induced with seizures using Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 60mg/kg i.p. and Maximal electro shock (MES) (50mA for 0.2 seconds) respectively. Sodium valproate 100mg/kg and Phenytoin 25mg/kg served as controls for the respective groups. Vanillin was administered at 100, 200 and 500mg/kg per oral one hour prior to induction of convulsions. The parameters studied include: Onset and duration of tonic flexion and extension, onset of clonic seizure, time for recovery/ death (MES model); Onset of myoclonic jerks and number of episodes (PTZ model). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. In the MES model, vanillin showed a dose dependent significant decrease in the onset and duration of extension when compared to Phenytoin (P< 0.01). A similar decrease in the onset and duration of flexion was also noted at 100 and 200mg/kg but this was not significant at 500mg/kg dose. In the PTZ induced seizure model, acute administration of vanillin increased latency of onset and decreased the duration of seizures in treated animals as compared to the control. To conclude, the results suggest that vanillin has anticonvulsive property.