Anticonvulsant and Neuroprotective Effects of Virgin Cocos nucifera oil in PTZ and MES Seizure Models

This study evaluated the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Virgin Cocos nucifera oil (VCNO) using PTZ and MES seizure models in Wistar rats. VCNO was prepared using cold extraction. For PTZ test, twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into control, test 1 (5 ml/kg VCNO), test 2 (10 ml/kg VCNO) and standard (5 mg/kg diazepam) groups. Similarly, twenty-four Swiss mice were used for MES test. Treatments were administered orally for 21 days period and then seizures were induced. Seizure parameters and brain oxidative stress markers (SOD, catalase, GPx, MDA) were evaluated. VCNO (10 ml/kg) significantly prolonged seizure onset (179.65 ± 5.76 s vs. 95.68 ± 3.85 s) and reduced seizure duration (720.65 ± 9.56 s vs. 2800.68 ± 36.06 s) in PTZ model, with reduced mortality. In MES model, VCNO reduced hindlimb tonic extension duration with no mortality. Both doses significantly increased antioxidant enzymes and decreased MDA levels (p < 0.05). VCNO exhibits dose-dependent anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects in seizure models, supporting its traditional use and further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for epilepsy.