The anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of the Tanacetum Polycephalum hydroalcoholic extract against the experimental pentylenetetrazol‐induced model of the seizures in the male Wistar rats

Background The genus Tanacetum is widespread in Europe and Western Asia. It is an important traditional plant which has been used in the treatment of many illnesses. Aim In the present study, the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tanacetum polycephalum (henceforth TP) on the animal model of seizure was studied. Methods In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats weighing 220‐250 g were randomly selected and were divided to experimental and control groups (six rats per group). The experimental groups were treated by intraperitoneal (ip) single injection of 150, 300, 450, 600, and 750 mg kg−1 of hydroalcoholic extracts of TP. The control negative group received normal saline (0.9%) and the control positive group received phenobarbital (30 mg kg−1, ip) pretreatment. 30 minutes after the treatments, the seizure behaviors were evaluated by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 70 mg kg−1, ip) challenge. In addition, after experiment, the rats were put to death and brain was removed for the histological study. Results The ANOVA test was showed that compared to control group, all the TP doses delayed the initiation and duration of the tonic, clonic, and tonic‐clonic seizures and significantly reduced the tonic and clonic seizures (P