Characterization of anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic potential of thymol in various experimental models

The present study was to investigate the anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic potential of thymol. Anticonvulsant activity of thymol (5–100 mg/kg i.p.) was studied using maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), strychnine and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) models. Thymol at the selected dose was also studied for its effect on locomotion. Antiepileptogenic property of thymol (5–25 mg/kg) was evaluated using PTZ-induced kindling model along with its effect on malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Thymol (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed anticonvulsant activity against maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazole (66.66 and 83.33 % protection at 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) model but not against strychnine and 4-aminopyridine models. Thymol exhibited decreased locomotor activity in dose-dependent manner at the same dose range. Thymol at the dose of (25 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased the seizure score, increased glutathione levels and decreased malondialdehyde levels in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling model. Thymol exhibited significant anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic property.