Aims: Since the common medications cannot completely heal the epilepsy, and the long-term consumption of such medications leads to some side effects, it is very important to achieve more effective medications. Therefore, it is necessary to notice the traditional medicine and herbal medications with low side effects, as well as to determine their effective doses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intra-peritoneal injection of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Ducrosia anethifolia on pentilenetetrazol-induced (PTZ-induced) seizures in male Wistar rats.

Materials & Methods: In the experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were studied. The rats were divided into six 8-rat groups including control group (receiving saline), groups receiving 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2mg/kg Ducrosia anethifolia extract via intra-peritoneal injection, and positive control group (receiving 1mg/Kg diazepam as an antiepileptic medication). 30min latter, and to produce the epileptic seizures, 80mg/Kg pantilenetetrazol was used via intra-peritoneal injection. Then, the convulsive behaviors of the animal were recorded. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests.

Findings: The pre-treatment done by the different doses of Ducrosia anethifolia lengthened the time interval before the beginning of the seizure attacks. The lengthened interval measure in 2mg/Kg extraction group was significant compared to control group. In addition, the different doses of Ducorsia anethifolia extract reduced the dose-dependent lengths of tunic seizures and tonic-clonic seizures, as well as the total dose-dependent seizure length.

Conclusion: Intra-peritoneal injection of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Ducorsia anethifolia effectively reduces the PTZ-induced seizure manifestations in the male Wistar rats.