Anticonvulsant Effects of Matricaria chamomilla Extract and Rosa damascena Oil in a Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizure Model: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Seizures are paroxysmal events that cause abnormal brain activity. They manifest as convulsions and loss of consciousness. Pharmaceutical treatments have many severe side effects, thus people are investigating alternative therapies involving essential oils. This research project has investigated the anticonvulsant effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract (MCE) and Rosa damascena oil (RDO) on mice with induced seizures.

Methods: In this study, 64 male mice in 8 groups were examined independently for the behavioral responses to Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) after receiving saline, diazepam (4 mg/kg), MCE, and RDO (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg). The efficacy of the treatments was assessed by evaluating the occurrence of the first facial or forelimb movements, Minimal Clonic Seizure (MCS), first Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure (GTCS), the number of leg stretches, and the mortality rate. The data was separately evaluated using one-way ANOVA, and significance was determined at p<0.05.

Results: Seizure symptoms were absent in mice treated with diazepam, MCE, and RDO until one hour after PTZ administration, while all mice in the PTZ and normal saline group died. MCE and RDO at 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the latency of MCS and first facial or forelimb movements and reduced leg stretching in PTZ-treated mice. Both compounds delayed the onset of GTCS.

Conclusion: Consequently, MCE and RDO demonstrate promising anticonvulsant effects in a preclinical model, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action in seizure disorders. They also offer potential alternatives to traditional antiseizure agents.