Study of the Effects of Hydro-methanol Extracts of Lavandula vera DC. and Cuscuta epithymum Murr. on the Seizure Induced by Pentylentetranzol in Mice

Abstract: Introduction: Epilepsy is the second most common nervous disorder after brain strok. In spite of present anticonvulsant drugs, researchers need to search for drugs with better efficacy and less side effects. Medicinal plants with various natural components so that different properties are suitable field for investigation. In this study, anticonvulsant effect of Lavandula vera DC. and Cuscuta epithymum Murr. were investigated. Methods: After collection and identification, percolation extract of the plants were prepared by methanol 80% and different doses of extracts were injected intraperitoneally in to mice. Pentylen tetrazole (PTZ) with dose of 90 mg/kg was used for induction of seizure. Changes in the onset time of seizure, duration of seizure, percent of mortality and the percent of seizure protection were determined in different groups. Results: Different doses of extracts of Lavandula vera and Cuscuta epithymum delayed the onset of seizure (P<0.01), but the duration of seizure did not change significantly. Pretreatment of animals with different doses of extracts decreased the mortality rate significantly (P<0.01), the percent of seizure protection was also greater than control group significantly (P<0.05) The most effective dose of Cuscuta epithymum and Lavandula vera were 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: It seems that Cuscuta epithymum and Lavandula vera have effective anticonvulsant component, however more investigations are needed in this field. Keywords: Lavandula vera, Cuscuta epithymum, Seizure, Pentylen tetrazol