Bombax costatum Pellegr. & Vuillet attenuates pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure and cognitive impairment in rats via inhibition of oxidative stress

Abstract Objectives Epilepsy is a neurological disorder resulting from excessive electrical discharge in the brain. Bombax costatum (BC) is an herb being used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of seizures. This study evaluated the possible anti-convulsant potential of stem bark ethanolic extract of BC on PTZ-induced kindling in rats. Methods Thirty-five Wistar rats were grouped into five (n = 7) and received normal saline, 35 mg/kg of PTZ, 5 mg/kg diazepam followed by 35 mg/kg PTZ after 30 min and BC stem back ethanolic extract at 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg followed by 35 mg/kg of PTZ intraperitoneally after 30 min. BC was administered orally daily while normal saline and PTZ were given intraperitoneally every other day for 26 days. Seizure activity was evaluated using the Racine scale, cognitive abilities through modified elevated plus maze and anxiety through forced swimming test. Further, the levels of GABA and oxidative stress biomarkers were also evaluated from the rat’s brain homogenate. Results Pretreatment with BC significantly reduced (p < .05) the seizure score and increased GABA level in BC treated rats when compared to PTZ alone treated rats. The first transfer latency of PTZ alone treated rats was significantly increased (p < .05) relative to the control rats and rats pretreated with diazepam and BC extract. Pretreatment with BC extract at 250 mg/kg was shown to significantly increase (p < .05) the activities of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase compared to the PTZ alone treated rats. Conclusions Conclusively, BC was found to prevent seizure, avert neurodegeneration, and enhance cognition in PTZ-treated rats by regulating GABA level and enhancing antioxidant activity. Therefore, BC could be explored further for possible development of antiseizure agents.