The effects of aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract of Lavandula dentata in the pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Lavandula dentata is called Ustukhuddus in Iran .There are some reports about the anticonvulsant effects of Ustukhuddus but, the effect of this plant on epilepsy is not reported yet. In this study the effect of Lavandula dentata on seizures induced by pilocarpine was investigated.

A total of 75 male rats weighing 200-250 grams were divided into five groups of 15, which included: 1- control saline 2- control extract 3- Epileptic group 4- Epileptic group treated with single doses of lavender extract 200 mg / Kg  5- epileptic group treated with repeated dose of lavender extract (200 mg / Kg). The induction of seizures in all three groups was done by intra-peritoneal injection of pilocarpine hydrochloride (380 mg / kg).  Brain malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione was measured. Statistical analysis was carried out using one way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis oneway analysis of variance by ranks followed by post-hoc tukey test.

The administration of Lavandulla dentata in the pretreatment groups delayed the onset of status epilepticus (SE), reduced the duration of SE and decreased the mortality rate compared to the epileptic group. Pretreated extract increased significantly brain glutathione levels 24 hours after pilocarpine administration, but did not exhibit inhibitory effect on brain MDA.

Lavendula dentata reduced significantly seizure intensity and the mortality rate due to SE induced by pilocarpine administration. It seems that antioxidant activity such as brain glutathione enhancement was partly responsible for such results.