Investigating the Anti-epileptic and Sedative Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf on Pentylenetetrazol Induced Epileptiform Seizures in Wistar Rat

• Main Authors: MB Ghayour, M Behnam-Rassouli, N Ghayour, M Tehranipour, A Kamyabi-Abkooh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institue of Medicinal Plants, ACECR 2012-02-01
• Series: Journal of Medicinal Plants
• Subjects: melissa officinalis; epilepsy; seizures; pentylenetetrazol; rat
• Online Access: http://jmp.ir/article-1-473-en.html
• ISSN: 2717-204X; 2717-2058

Background: Since long lasting administration of anti-seizure drugs produces undesirable side effects, many efforts have been made during recent decades to find and replace the chemical drugs by medicinal plants.   Objective: The aim of present study was to study the antiepileptic (anti-seizure) effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis on experimental epileptiform seizures, induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) in Wistar rat.   Methods: After normalization, rats in experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 were injected (i.p) 50, 80 and 120 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis , respectively. Control animals were injected extract solvent as the same manner. After 30 minutes all rats were injected (i.p) 80 mg/kg PTZ and then examined for epileptiform behaviors for the next 60 minutes. The rate of mortality during the next 24 hour was also recorded.   Results: In comparison with control group, in all experimental groups the latent period of tonic-clonic generalized seizure was significantly (P<0.05) increased. Moreover, the mortality rate was decreased from 90% in control group to 30, 50 and 60% in experimental groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusions: I t can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis has potential sedative and anticonvulsant effects and probably exerts its effects through GABAergic system.