Antiepileptic and Antidepressant Activity of Majoon Najah (A Traditional Unani Formulation) in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Background: Majoon Najah is a polyherbal traditional Unani formulation recommended for the treatment of neurological disorders. To evaluate antiepileptic and antidepressant activity of majoon najah and majoon najah extract in experimental animals. Methods: Anticonvulsant activity was tested using maximal electroshock induced convulsion in male sprague dawley rats using diazepam 3 mg/kg, p.o. as positive control. Pentylenetetrazole induced convulsion in swiss male albino mice was performed using phenytoin 25 mg/kg i.p. as positive control. The antidepressant activity of MN was evaluated using forced swim test model in male using Imipramine 20 mg/kg, p.o. as positive control. Results: Antiepileptic study data showed reduction of all parameters like, tonic hind limb extension, clonic convulsion and stupor; however the values were not found statistically significant at all tested dose levels. The results of forced swim test model indicated that majoon najah effectively showed significant (P<0.001) reduction in immobility duration in animals treated with majoon najah classical at dose 500 mg/kg bw and 1000 mg/kg bw as compared to control rats. Conclusion: Based on above findings, it may be concluded that majoon najah did not showed effectiveness in epilepsy however, the results evident that majoon najah is a potential Unani formulation having antidepressant activity which may be preferred as an alternative therapy over modern medicine to treat depression.