Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia persica on seizure severity and memory and learning disorders in pentylenetetrazol-kindled male mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia persica on the severity of pentylenetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure and memory impairment. Sixty BALB/c mice were assigned to seven groups: control, PTZ, intervention (PTZ and 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of A. persica extract), diazepam (PTZ + 400 mg/kg of the extract and diazepam), and flumazenil (PTZ + 400 mg/kg of the extract and flumazenil) groups. PTZ was injected at 35 mg/kg at 48 hour intervals for 9 days, and at 60 mg/kg on day 10. Different doses of A. persica extract were injected daily 30 minutes before PTZ injection. Diazepam and flumazenil were injected on the 10th day 30 minutes before PTZ injection. PTZ treatment significantly reduced the frequency of repeated spinning and jumping and tonic seizures in mice treated with different doses of A. persica extract. Diazepam treatment boosted the anticonvulsant effects and flumazenil treatment inhibited the anticonvulsant effects in mice given 400 mg/kg of the extract. Treatment of mice kindled by 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of A. persica extract significantly reduced the increased levels of malondialdehyde in their serum and brain. Different doses of A. persica extract significantly increased serum and brain antioxidant capacity but had no significant effect on nitric oxide. 100 mg/kg of A. persica significantly improved PTZ-induced memory impairment. The hydroalcoholic extract of A. persica has a protective effect against PTZ-induced seizure, which is probably due to the effect of its benzodiazepine receptors and antioxidant activity.

Keywords:

Artemisia persica , Flumazenil , Diazepam , Seizure , Pentylenetetrazol , PTZ