Anticonvulsant effects of Squill Oxymel, a traditional formulation from Drimia maritime (L.) stearn in Mice

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder which may be due to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory components of the central nervous system. Despite several anticonvulsant drugs which used to restrain seizure attacks, about 30% of patients are still suffering from incomplete medicated treatment. On the other hand, current available medications are associating with side effects, dose-related toxicity and teratogenic effects. These findings necessitate the search for new sources of therapeutic compounds for better and more effective treatment. So in this study we examined the anticonvulsant effects of Squill (Drimia maritima) Oxymel in chemo-convulsion models of mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male albino mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=5) and kept under standard circumstances in the vivarium of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), (1) control group received (Normal Saline), (2) positive control group received Diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p) 15 minutes prior to administration of convulsion inducer agent (Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 60 mg/kg i.p), (3-6) experimental groups received diluted squill oxymel with doses respectively (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg) by oral gavage, 15 minutes prior to administration of PTZ and then the onset time of seizures and its duration were captured by camcorder and reassessed carefully. The total flavenoid content of Drimia maritima was also determined. Final results of the study were collected and analyzed by the GraphPad PRISM software (version 7.0), using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Findings: In this study, onset time of the seizures prolonged at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (P˂0.05). Moreover, Squill Oxymel at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg decreased the duration of seizures in comparison with Saline control group (P˂0.05). During the study, control group had 20% mortality whereas receiving Squill Oxymel caused full prevention of mortality among the animals of experimental groups. Conclusion: These results confirmed the anticonvulsant activity of Drimia maritima which traditionally used in Iranian traditional medicine. Moreover, this traditional formulation its impact on reducin the mortality rate of animals. The clarification of involved mechanisms needs further studies.

Keywords:

Drimia maritime , Flavenoid , Seizure , Anticonvulsant , Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)