The anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of the Tanacetum Polycephalum hydroalcoholic extract against the experimental pentylenetetrazol‐induced model of the seizures in the male Wistar rats

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe genus Tanacetum is widespread in Europe and Western Asia. It is an important traditional plant which has been used in the treatment of many illnesses.AimIn the present study, the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tanacetum polycephalum (henceforth TP) on the animal model of seizure was studied.MethodsIn this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats weighing 220‐250 g were randomly selected and were divided to experimental and control groups (six rats per group). The experimental groups were treated by intraperitoneal (ip) single injection of 150, 300, 450, 600, and 750 mg kg−1 of hydroalcoholic extracts of TP. The control negative group received normal saline (0.9%) and the control positive group received phenobarbital (30 mg kg−1, ip) pretreatment. 30 minutes after the treatments, the seizure behaviors were evaluated by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 70 mg kg−1, ip) challenge. In addition, after experiment, the rats were put to death and brain was removed for the histological study.ResultsThe ANOVA test was showed that compared to control group, all the TP doses delayed the initiation and duration of the tonic, clonic, and tonic‐clonic seizures and significantly reduced the tonic and clonic seizures (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the administration of all five doses of the extract significantly prevented the production of the dark neurons (P < 0.001) in different areas of the hippocampus compared to PTZ group.ConclusionsWe can conclude that the TP extract has beneficial effects on the prevention of the PTZ‐induced seizure.