Effects of methanolic extract of Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey on seizure induced by picrotoxin in mice

The sedative effects of medicinal herbs of Echium Amoenum Fisch & Mey on nervous system have been known for many years. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methanolice extract of Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey against seizure induced by picrotoxin in mice. In this experiment study, in the first phase four groups of animals were pretreated by metabolic extract of this plant via intraperitoneal injection. After 20 minutes each animal received picrotoxin 10mg/kg for the induction of seizure. Then lateney of onset time for the beginning of seizure, duration of seizure and mortality were determined. Data were subjected to the t test and chi-square test (P<0.05). The results showed that latency of seizure was increased significantly in case groups that pretreated with different doses of extract (P<0.05) (especially 6.25 mg/kg). In addition, these doses delayed significantly the time death in mice (P<0.01). The extract of Echium Amoenum appears to be effective on seizure induced by picrotoxin in mice.