Assessment of Anticonvulsant Activities of Petroleum Ether Extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum Roots on Experimental Rats

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of the petroleum ether extract of the root of Anacyclus pyrethrum on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)induced seizure model in Wistar rats. Methods: The composition of the petroleum ether extract of A. pyrethrum was first analyzed using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequently, the anticonvulsant activities of these extracts (70 and 140 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) were evaluated on PTZinduced seizures in rats. The protection rate against induced seizures, latency, and duration of seizures, as well as neurological symptoms, were assessed and compared to those protected by phenobarbital. Results: GC/MS analysis of the petroleum ether extract showed that the main components were octadecadienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, diheptylcyclopropene, naphthalene, and methyl stearate. The extract (70 and 140 mg/kg) was found to provide significant protection against PTZinduced seizures. Moreover, compared to the negative control, the extracts increased the latency of inducedconvulsion and reduced the duration of epilepsy. Interestingly, the extracts showed a reduction in neurological symptoms and the severity of seizures compared to the negative control. All of these outcomes manifested in a dosedependent manner. Conclusion: The petroleum ether extract of A. pyrethrum may produce anticonvulsant effects by reducing the duration of seizures and delaying the latency of seizures induced by PTZ.