Abstract
Pharmacognosy studies have shown that Valeriana officinalis L. roots containing significant amounts of free amino acids such as GABA and other substances like valeric acid and isovalerate. In this study, anticonvulsant effects of V. officinalis (VO) roots aqueous extract, using standard methods of chemical seizure caused by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in mice was assessed. To evaluate mechanisms involved in VO anticonvulsant effects, diazepam and flumazenil were used. After determining the seizure threshold in the control group, different doses of VO (0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/kg) were intraperitoneally (IP) administered and their effects on the threshold of PTZ-induced seizure were studied. Diazepam (1, 2 and 3 mg/kg) and flumazenil (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally and the seizure threshold was determined, after which the different doses of the VO drugs were evaluated. The results showed that PTZ-induced seizure threshold in control mice was 35.52 ± 0.87 mg/kg. VO and diazepam were increased and flumazenil were decreased the threshold of PTZ-induced seizure. Also results showed that diazepam and flumazenil, respectively increase and decrease the effect of VO on PTZ-induced seizure. Changes in seizure threshold in this study indicate that probably the mechanism of VO anticonvulsant effects is due to the inhibitory GABA system, but this issue needs further investigations. Key words: Valeriana officinalis, root, diazepam, flumazenil, PTZ, clonic seizure threshold.
Highlights
Epilepsy is a chronic disease with a heterogeneous set of symptoms that is characterized by recurrent seizure
Anticonvulsant effects of V. officinalis (VO) roots aqueous extract, using standard methods of chemical seizure caused by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in mice was assessed
Changes in seizure threshold in this study indicate that probably the mechanism of VO anticonvulsant effects is due to the inhibitory GABA system, but this issue needs further investigations
Summary
Epilepsy is a chronic disease with a heterogeneous set of symptoms that is characterized by recurrent seizure. The seizure event is limited brain function, caused by abnormal neurons discharge. Clinical symptoms of epilepsy, including sudden temporary abnormal phenomenon such as: changes in the level of consciousness, motor, sensory, autonomic or psychological (Lott, 2001). Causes of seizure are numerous, such as neurological diseases, infections, tumors and brain injuries. About 30% of the seizures are because of central nervous system disorders. In total the reason of epileptic seizure disturbs between balance of stimulatory and inhibitory neurons, and the most important role of glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters are responsible (Coulter, 2001; Faingold, 2004; Lott, 2001)
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