Methanolic extract of Biarum carduchrum ameliorates seizures, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment in experimental models of epilepsy in rats

Given the high prevalence of epilepsy and low availability of usual therapies, finding more effective drugs is essential for the treatment of epileptic patients. In the present study, the anti-epileptic property of the methanol extract of Biarum carduchrum (B. carduchrum) leaves was investigated on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindled rats.

In this experimental study, fifty Wistar rats were randomly grouped into five groups including 1: Control, 2: PTZ, 3: PTZ +  methanolic extract (100 and 200 mg/kg), and 4: PTZ + methanolic extract + flumazenil. The scores of epilepsy were investigated 30 min after PTZ injection. Behavioral tests including Shuttle box, Morris Water Maze, and tail suspension tests were done in the experimental groups. Finally, the rats under deep anesthesia; serum samples were given, and their brain tissue removed for biochemical tests, including malondialdehyde level, anti-oxidant capacity, and nitrite and nitrate levels.

B. carduchrum methanolic extract reduced the number of tunic seizures and jumps in treated animals. The extract also induced an improvement in the passive avoidance memory and spatial memory in the Morris Water Maze test and reduced the immobilization time in the tail suspension test. Treatment of PTZ kindled rats with B. carduchrum methanolic extract resulted in a decrease in the levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde as well as a significant increase in the antioxidant capacity of the brain tissue and serum.

B. carduchrum methanolic extract can be used as an anti-epileptic agent for depression control, improvement of learning, and memory after complementary testing.