Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment with water, n-butanol and ether extracts of Hypercom perforatum L. on epileptogenesis in rabbits. Animals from the control group received solvent-ethanol, and the kindling model of epilepsy was used. Epileptic focus was induced in Chinchilla rabbits by stimulation of the hippocampus. The following parameters were determined: the minimum current strength necessary to induce after-discharge (AD) – discharges appearing after cessation of stimulation; AD duration; the number of stimulations necessary to induce spontaneous kindling; and the latency time for the development of full kindling. The results obtained indicate that epileptogenesis is influenced by Hypericum perforatum L. extract treatment.Animals treated with an ether extract of Hypericum perforatum L. required significantly weaker minimum current strengths for the development of epileptogenic focus, and displayed longer AD times, while the number of electro-stimulations necessary for full kindling was less. In contrast, animals treated with water and n-butanol extracts required increased electro-stimulations for the development of epileptic discharge, and displayed shortened AD durations versus controls.
Highlights
The use of complementary alternative medicines, such as herbal-based medicines, is becoming increasingly popular [1,2,3]
John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome [5,6], as well as for problems associated with menopause, such as mood shifts, sweating, anxiety, redness of the face and insomnia [7,8,9] has been increasing
Because the bioactive constituents of Hypericum perforatum L. have been shown to alter the excitability of neurons, in the present study we investigated the potential influence of various Hypericum perforatim
Summary
The use of complementary alternative medicines, such as herbal-based medicines, is becoming increasingly popular [1,2,3]. The most commonly used herbal medicines are St John’s wort, echinacea, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, valerian, ephedra and kava [4]. Use of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome [5,6], as well as for problems associated with menopause, such as mood shifts, sweating, anxiety, redness of the face and insomnia [7,8,9] has been increasing. Standardized extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. are commonly used for the treatment of depressive disorders [10,11]
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