Abstract

Regarding high incidence of epilepsy in human society and with respect to insufficient therapies, in the present study, anticonvulsant effect of Cyperus rotundus extract was experimentally examined. Sixty male mice were randomly selected and divided into 6 groups; 1. Control, 2. Pentylentetrazole (PTZ)-kindled mice, 3. positive control group which received valproate (100 mg/kg) as anticonvulsant drug, and 4 to 6 which received C. rotundus rhizome extract at three doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; i.p). All groups except for control group were kindled by 11 injections of PTZ (35 mg/kg; i.p) with an interval of 48 h. In the 12^th injection, all groups except for control group were tested for PTZ challenge dose (75 mg/kg). The exhibited phases of seizure (0-6) were observed and noted for 30 min after PTZ injection. At last, all brains of mice were removed and then malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) levels of brain tissues were determined. Data analysis showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of C. rotundus could reduce intensity and duration of seizure. Also, the extract could increase the level of SOD and NO and decrease MDA level in mice brain. It is concluded that C. rotundus rhzome extract, probably via its antioxidant properties could have exerted a potent antiepileptic effect.

Key words: Cyperus rotundus, epilepsy, pentylentetrazole (PTZ), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO).