Anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract and aqueous fraction of Launaea acanthodes gum in comparison with diazepam in mice

Background: Launaea acanthodes gum (LAG) contains flavonoids with benzodiazepine-like activity and so it may be helpful in treatment of epilepsy. Objective: To determine the effects of ethanolic extract (EE) and aqueous fraction (AF) of LAG on convulsion induced by pentylentetrazole (PTZ) in mice. Methods: This experimental study was carried out at the Department of Biology, Science and Research Division, Azad University, Tehran (Iran) in 2005. Lethal doses (LD50) of EE and AF were determined by acute toxicity test. The effect of AF on activity of brain was investigated by using open filed test and the signs (rearing, locomotion) were compared with control group. Later, the animals in experimental groups (10 mice) received different doses of EE (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) and AF (200, 300,400 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injections 30 min prior to PTZ injection. The members of control group received saline and those in positive control group were given diazepam (10 mg/kg). Then the epileptiform behaviors were investigated following the subcutaneous injection of PTZ (85 mg/kg) for 30 minutes. Findings: In the open filed test, a single dose of AF exhibited a significant decrease in rearing with no such effect on locomotion activity. Also, different doses of EE and AF inhibited convulsions through an increase in latency to the onset of forelimb clonus and tonic-clonic seizures. Conclusion: According to our data, the LAG extracts have anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activities with no obvious sing of depression.