8.6.2 Anticonvulsant Activity
Anticonvulsants are a highly diverse group of pharmacological agents which are
used to treat epileptic seizures (Kiasalari et al. 2012; Manohar et al. 2009), which is
one of the most predominant neurological disorders found in 0.5–1% of the world’s
population (Manohar et al. 2009). The B. nigra seed extract (hydro-alcoholic) has
demonstrated the ability to reduce the intensity and duration of the seizure, which
has once again been associated with its antioxidant properties (Kiasalari et al. 2012;
Abdollahi Fard and Shojaii 2013). Oxidative stress and free radical production are
two of the most important mechanisms by which neurological disorders such as
epileptic seizures occur. Free radicals induce membrane lipid peroxidation and tissue
injury which results in cell membrane destruction and its dysfunction. In the study by
Kiasalari et al. (2012) in particular, it was observed that Brassica nigra seed extract
at a dosage of 150 mg/kg could increase the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels
compared with the control group of 2-pentylentetrazole (PTZ)-kindled mice. This
result has led to the conclusion that B. nigra seed helps in the deletion of free radicals
through preservation of SOD and consequently affecting the seizure intensity and
duration.
8.6.3 Management of Oral Health
B. nigra oilseed has the ability to stimulate and enhance the blood circulation
through restoration of health of the gingiva and reducing the occurrence of its
inflammation (Markose et al. 2016). This is an important property when it comes
to oral health, where Markose et al. (2016) have suggested that massaging with
B. nigra oil is able to stimulate blood circulation and restore the health of gingiva. It
may be implied from this particular study that incorporation of B. nigra seed oil into
dental floss or toothpaste might be an effective means of maintaining oral health.
8.6.4 Immunomodulation Properties
Immunomodulatory compounds have the ability to stimulate or suppress the immune
system and may help the body to fight against cancer, infection and other similar
diseases. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) has immunomodulatory and
cytoprotective properties and has been found in the B. nigra dry plant seeds ranging
from 120 to 150 mg/g (Manchester et al. 2000; Iriti and Faoro 2006; Posmyk and
Janas 2009). This compound has the ability to act on the either physiological or
pathological conditions including immunity and cancer, as well as sleeping, vascular
tone, calcium homeostasis, bone turnover and sexual development. The presence of
melatonin is much higher in B. nigra seeds in comparison with other edible seeds
198
H. K. S. De Zoysa and V. Y. Waisundara
Anticonvulsants are a highly diverse group of pharmacological agents which are
used to treat epileptic seizures (Kiasalari et al. 2012; Manohar et al. 2009), which is
one of the most predominant neurological disorders found in 0.5–1% of the world’s
population (Manohar et al. 2009). The B. nigra seed extract (hydro-alcoholic) has
demonstrated the ability to reduce the intensity and duration of the seizure, which
has once again been associated with its antioxidant properties (Kiasalari et al. 2012;
Abdollahi Fard and Shojaii 2013). Oxidative stress and free radical production are
two of the most important mechanisms by which neurological disorders such as
epileptic seizures occur. Free radicals induce membrane lipid peroxidation and tissue
injury which results in cell membrane destruction and its dysfunction. In the study by
Kiasalari et al. (2012) in particular, it was observed that Brassica nigra seed extract
at a dosage of 150 mg/kg could increase the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels
compared with the control group of 2-pentylentetrazole (PTZ)-kindled mice. This
result has led to the conclusion that B. nigra seed helps in the deletion of free radicals
through preservation of SOD and consequently affecting the seizure intensity and
duration.
8.6.3 Management of Oral Health
B. nigra oilseed has the ability to stimulate and enhance the blood circulation
through restoration of health of the gingiva and reducing the occurrence of its
inflammation (Markose et al. 2016). This is an important property when it comes
to oral health, where Markose et al. (2016) have suggested that massaging with
B. nigra oil is able to stimulate blood circulation and restore the health of gingiva. It
may be implied from this particular study that incorporation of B. nigra seed oil into
dental floss or toothpaste might be an effective means of maintaining oral health.
8.6.4 Immunomodulation Properties
Immunomodulatory compounds have the ability to stimulate or suppress the immune
system and may help the body to fight against cancer, infection and other similar
diseases. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) has immunomodulatory and
cytoprotective properties and has been found in the B. nigra dry plant seeds ranging
from 120 to 150 mg/g (Manchester et al. 2000; Iriti and Faoro 2006; Posmyk and
Janas 2009). This compound has the ability to act on the either physiological or
pathological conditions including immunity and cancer, as well as sleeping, vascular
tone, calcium homeostasis, bone turnover and sexual development. The presence of
melatonin is much higher in B. nigra seeds in comparison with other edible seeds
198
H. K. S. De Zoysa and V. Y. Waisundara