The anticonvulsant effect of thymoquinone, the major component of Nigella sativa seeds, were investigated using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and Maximal electroshock test (MES), as petit mal and grand mal epilepsy models in mice, respectively. In PTZ- induced convulsion, the intraperitoneally injection of thymoquinone with doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg, prolonged the onset of seizures the duration of clonic seizures. The protection activity of thymoquinone againt mortality was 71.4% and 100% in the mentioned doses, respectively. In MES, thymoquinone faild to reduce the duration of convulsion, whereas exhibited a complete protection against mortality. In PTZ test, flumazenil (10 mg/kg ip), an antagonist of benzodiazepine site, inhibited the prolongation of convulsion latency, but did not show any effect on the duration of clonic seizures. In PTZ test, the ED50 of diazepam was obtained 1.13 mg/kg (95% CL: 0.89- 1.44). These results indicate that thmoquinone may have anticonvulsant activity in petit mal epilepsy. Moreover, it may exhibits an nticonvulsant activity, at least in parts, through benzodiazepine receptors.

The anticonvulsant effect of Valeriana officinalis roots and rhizomes hydroalcoholic extract was studied, utilizing maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) tests. In the PTZ test, the extract (0.3-3 g/kg, ip) increased the onset time of Tonic Hind Limb Extension dose-dependently. In the MES test, neither of doses showed antiseizure activity. L-NAME (1-10 mg/kg ip) reduced the anticonvulsant effect of extract in the PTZ test. The results suggest that Valeriana officinalis extract could be a candidate for treatment of petitmal seizure and nitric oxide may be involved in this effect.

We studied the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum aerial parts in mice. The pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) tests were used for assessing the anticonvulsive effects of this plant. In the PTZ test, the extracts (0.1-1 g/kg, i.p.) delayed the onset of tonic convulsions and protected mice against mortality. In the MES test, both extracts did not show antiseizure activity. L-NAME (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, reduced the anticonvulsant activity of the extracts. The results of this study indicate that the extracts of H. perforatum aerial parts could contribute to the control of petit mal seizure and this effect may be partially mediated by nitric oxide pathway.

Background: Thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, is a biologically active compound, which possesses several pharmacological effects. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of thymoquinone through intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Method: The anticonvulsant effects of thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, were investigated using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model. Results: In PTZ-induced epileptic seizures, the i.c.v. injection of thymoquinone (200 and 400 mol) prolonged the onset and reduced the duration of tonic-clonic seizures. The protective effect of thymoquinone against lethality was 45% and 50% in the mentioned doses, respectively. In this study, flumazenil (1 nmol, i.c.v.) reversed the anticonvulsant activity of thymoquinone. Also, pretreatment with naloxone (10 mol, i.c.v.) antagonized the prolongation of tonic-clonic seizure latency, as well as reduction in seizure duration both induced by thymoquinone (200 mol, i.c.v.). Conclusion: These results indicate that thymoquinone may possess anticonvulsant activity probably through an opioid receptor-mediated increase in GABAergic tone.

Background: Passion flower has shown antianxeity and sedative effects in human. Objective: In this study, anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of passiflora were studied. Methods: Anticonvulsant effects of Pasipay were examined by using pentylenetetrazole model (PTZ) on mice. In this research pasipay, diazepam, and normal saline were injected i.p. at doses (0.05-0.4 mg/kg), (0.5-1 mg/kg), (10 ml/kg) respectively and after 30 minutes, PTZ (90 mg/kg, i.p) was injected to these mice. For investigating the mechanism of pasipay, flumazenil (2 mg/kg, i.p) and naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p) were also injected 5 minutes before pasipay. Results: An ED50 value of pasipay was 0.2 mg/kg (%95 CL: 0.119, 0.408). In this model, pasipay at the dose of 0.4 mg/kg prolonged the onset time of seizure and decreased the duration of seizures compared to control (p<0.001). In this dose the seizure and mortality protection was 100%. Flumazenil and naloxone could suppress anticonvulsant effects of pasipay. Conclusion: It seems that pasipay may be useful for treatment of absence seizure and these effects may be related to the effect of it on GABAergic and opioid systems.

Conclusions: I t can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis has potential sedative and anticonvulsant effects and probably exerts its effects through GABAergic system.

Background: Matricaria chamomilla (MC) has a series of flavonoid compounds with benzodiazepine-like properties. Objective: So it may be effective in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures. We evaluate the effect of intraperitoneally injection of hydroalcoholic chamomilla extract on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole in male rats. Methods: In this study, 56 male rats (200 - 250 g) were divided into to seven groups (n = 8): 1 - control (saline) 2 - MC 50 mg/kg, 3 - MC 100 mg/kg, 4 - MC 200 mg/kg, 5 - MC 500 mg/kg, 6 - Diazepam (0.2 mg/kg), 7 - Flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg) + MC 200. All groups received PTZ (65 mg/kg/ip) 30 minutes after material injection and the animal's convulsive behavior were recorded. The data were analyzed statistically by SPSS software with using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. Results: The administration of hydroalcoholic extracts of chamomile, delayed onset of tonic seizures in the animal's anterior limb and body at all used dosages. This effect was significant at doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg, in compare with control group. Also the extract of chamomile reduced the total duration of seizure and the duration of tonic -colonic seizures dose - dependently, that were significant at 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg of dosage. Conclusion: Intra-peritoneal administration of chamomile hydroalcoholic extract can effectively reduce seizures that induced by PTZ in rats. Here by, it is recommended to identify its effective components by conducting complementary research.

Background: Epilepsy has prevalence about 0.5 - 1% of world population. From many years ago, plants used to treat of various neurological diseases such as seizures. Objective: The anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Tanacetum sonbolii was examined in male mice. Methods: 60 mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=10), included: A control group (normal saline) and 5 groups receiving Sonbolii extract (150, 300, 600, 900, 1200 mg/kg). 30 min after peritoneal injection of different doses extract or saline, PTZ (85 mg/kg) were injected and the animal immediately transferred to a special cage, and the seizure behavior was evaluated within 30 minutes. Results: The tonic and colonic seizures were significantly reduced in the groups that received extract compared to control group. The onsets of seizures were difference between treated and control animals statistically. Extract were reduced the rate of death during seizures and was prevented the outbreak of tonic - colonic seizures in some case. Conclusion: Our results showed that the extracts of Tanacetum sonbolii have strong anticonvulsant effect, and more complementary studies will be done for identifying the mechanism of action and effective material of Sonbolii exact.

Background: In traditional medicine “Crataegus melano carpa” is one of the medicinal plants that has many therapeutic effects. One of them is its effect on nerveous system.
Objective: Evaluation of Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alcoholic extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” leaves on fear behavior in presence pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rat.
Methods: Animals were divided into 3 groups: experimental, saline and, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 20 mg/kg as positive control (I.P). In the experimental group, the animals received 4000 µg/Rat alcoholic extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” leaves (ICV) and PTZ (I.P). Then plus maze was used for evaluation of the fear. Open arm entries percentage (%OAE) and open arm time percentage (%OAT) were evaluated.
Results: The results show that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alcoholic extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” leaves increased %OAE and %OAT significantly (p<0.05).
Conclusion: We concluded that alcoholix extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” is effective on fear reduction in presence pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rat.