The effect of hydro-alchoholic exteract of (Matricaria recutita L.) on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure and its relationship with nitric oxide in mice

Matricaria recutit (MAT) has a series of flavonoid compounds with benzodiazepine-like properties. So, it may be effective in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures. This study aimed at examining the effect of intraperitoneal injection of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Matricaria recutita on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in mice. In this study, 56 male mice (25-30 g) were divided into seven groups (n=8): 1-control (saline), 2-control (PTZ), 3-MAT (50mg/kg), 4-MAT (100 mg/kg), 5- MAT (200 mg/kg), 6- diazepam (1mg/kg) and 7- MAT (50 mg/kg)+diazepam (0.25 mg/kg). After 10 days of treatment in different groups, the PTZ-induced seizure threshold was assessed and nitric oxide (NOX) metabolites in the brain tissue were measured by the Greiss method. The chamomile hydro-alcoholic extract (200 mg/kg), and diazepam (1 mg/kg) significantly increased the seizure threshold (P<0.001). The chamomile hydro-alcoholic extract (50, and 100 mg/kg) did not show anticonvulsant activity. The concentrations of NOX in the diazepam (1 mg/kg), MAT 100 mg/kg, and MAT 200 mg/kg groups were significantly lower than those in the control (PTZ) group and co-administration of MAT (50 mg/kg) with diazepam (0.25) decreased the NOX concentration. The hydro-alcoholic extract of MAT (50 mg/kg) had no significant effect on the NOX concentration. According to the results of this study, the chamomile hydro-alcoholic extract has an inhibitory effect on the PTZ-induced seizure and NOX in male mice.