Repeated application of Ustukhuddoos has been recommended for a long time in Iranian traditional medicine for some of nervous disorders like epilepsy. In Iran, both imported Lavandula officinalis and endemic Nepeta menthoides are commonly known as Ustukhuddoos. Despite of some reports about antiepileptic and antioxidant effects of Lavandula officinalis, there is no available report for this effect of Nepeta menthoides. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the anti-epileptic and antioxidant activity of Nepeta menthoides extract on timed intravenous pentylenetetrazol infusion seizure in mice model. A convulsive model that utilizes timed intravenous infusions of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) was developed to study anticonvulsant and antioxidant effect of ten days Nepeta menthoides pretreatment in mice. PTZ was infused through an indwelling tail vein catheter, and the threshold dose of PTZ was determined from the time needed to produce clonic convulsions, the body weight of the animal, and the rate of infusion of PTZ. Diazepam (Diaz), a major antiepileptic drug, was also tested for comparison. Versus diazepam, Nepeta menthoides did not show antiepileptic properties because of not only it did not increase threshold dose of PTZ but also significantly decreased it at some doses (p<0.05). It means Nepeta menthoides significantly increased susceptibility to seizures. Nepeta menthoides also significantly increased brain nitric oxide (NO) level in comparison with control group (p<0.05) and it was ineffective on MDA level. This study reported that Nepeta menthoides not only did not prevent seizures, but also increased susceptibility to seizures. Also, due to an increase in NO by Nepeta, nitric oxide may be a progenitor agent for epilepsy.

With respect to epilepsy prevalence and the fact that some of the patients remain refractory to available antiepileptic drugs, design of suitable drugs, without unwanted side effects is necessary. The use of plant extracts to treat diseases is proposed as a therapeutic modality. Lavandula officinalis (L. officinalis), commonly known as ustukhuddoos, has been used for a long time in traditional medicine for some of nervous disorders like epilepsy. The aim of this investigation was to provide a scientific basis for traditional use of L. officinalis in epilepsy. A total of 60 male NMRI mice weighing 25 to 30 g were randomly divided into six groups including: 1. PTZ, 2. positive control (PTZ and valproate 150 mg/kg, as an anticonvulsant drug), 3 to 5. mice received L. officinalis extract at three doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, and 6. mixed group which received L. officinalis (200 mg/kg) and valproate (100 mg/kg) i.p. All groups were kindled by 11 injections of PTZ (35 mg/kg) with an interval of 48 h. In the 12th injection, all groups were tested for PTZ challenge dose (75 mg/kg). The phases of seizure (0-6), threshold and duration of second and fifth phases were observed for 30 min after PTZ injection. Data analysis showed that L. officinalis could reduce intensity and duration of seizures. In addition, there was no phase 5 following L. officinalis treatment. Anti-epileptic effect in mix group was not more than the L. officinalis group. Antiepileptic effect of chronic administration of L. officinalis was established and it was more effective at a dose of 200 mg/kg than doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg. Meanwhile, L. officinalis could reduce seizure phases better than valproic acid.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a widespread antiepileptic drug-refractory focal epilepsy. There is no report about antiepileptic effects of Lavandula dentata on kainic acid induced status epilepticus (SE) while it is used as Ustukhuddoos. This study evaluated the behavioral and biochemical effects of Lavandula dentata extract in intrahippocampal kainate-induced model of TLE.

75 male wistar rats weighing 200-250 gr was divided into 5 groups including: 1. Sham 2. Extract pretreated sham 3. Kainic acid (1µg/rat) 4. Extract single dose (200 mg/kg one hour before surgery) pretreated kainic acid 5. Extract repeated (200 mg/kg every other day for 2 weeks) pretreated kainic acid. Extract injections were i.p at a volume of 0.3 ml.

Chronic extract pretreatment reduced SE latency, enhanced total duration and occurrence of SE (p < 0.05) but also reduced mortality rate. The kainate group significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), while single and repeated extract pretreatment decreased it (p < 0.05). Hippocampal glutathione (GSH) did not change in all groups 24 hours after kainate injection.

In spite of SE parameters intensification by chronic extract pretreatment, it seems that extract could reduce mortality rate through MDA reduction.

The essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (L. angustifolia), a species from the Lamiaceae family, possesses several biological activities; therefore it is used in some herbal medicines. The lack of studies into identifying the essential oil of L. angustifolia and its similar appearance to Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse (N. menthoides) as “Ustukhuddoos” in Iranian traditional medicine, have caused misuse and adulteration in the products.

In this study, the chemical compositions of L. angustifolia and N. menthoides essential oils, and three commercial herbal medicines of L. angustifolia essential oil in Iranian markets were evaluated and investigated as adulteration with the help of GC/MS analysis and chemometric methods.

The essential oils of L. angustifolia and N. menthoides, and commercial samples were extracted by different extraction methods. Furthermore, their chemical compositions were evaluated by GC/MS analysis. After identification of components by GC/MS, the obtained results were assessed by principal component analysis (PCA, Unscrambler X version 10.4) for clustering.

Results showed that all three commercial herbal preparations matched with the manufacturer's claim about using L. angustifolia essential oil in the products. PCA distinguished two groups which were characterized based on different types and amounts of the components.

GC/MS analysis with the help of chemometric methods is a powerful method to evaluate and discriminate between the essential oils and their products. In general, the combination of instrumental analysis and clustering chemometric analysis can provide an accurate tool for identifying misuse between plant species.