ABSTRACT
In the present study anticonvulsant activity of the Lavandula officinalis [L. officinalis] oil and aqueous, alcoholic and acetonic extracts were studied against pentylenetetrazol [PTZ] and maximal electroshock [MES] induced seizures in male mice. L. officinalis oil was prepared by using a Clevenger extractor. The extracts were prepared by soxhlet or percolator apparatus. Onset and severity of each convulsion and death time, after electroshock or injection of PTZ were recorded. L. officinalis oil [200 and 400mg/kg, i.p.] significantly reduced the mortality rate, number and severity of PTZ [90mg/kg, i.p.]-induced seizures. These effects of L. officinalis were similar to those of the reference drug, ethosuximide [300 mg/kg, i.p.]. Aqueous extract [100 and 800 mg/kg, i.p.] had no effect on PTZ induced convulsion. Alcoholic and acetonic extraets [800 mg/kg, i.p.] increased the latency of death time and reduced the number of attacks in the PTZ model, respectively. In the MES model only dose of 400mg/kg of the essential oil was effective and this effect was less, comparing to that of phenytoin. The results demonstrate the more potent anticonvulsant activity of the essential oil than other extracts. It may be of value in the treatment of absence seizures