Effects of alizarin, betulin, curcumin, diosmin , linalool, menthofuran, α-terpineol, theobromine, β-thujaplicin and vanillin against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice

Introduction and objective: The study was aimed at performing the anticonvulsant screening test to select some naturally occurring substances isolated from herbs and medicinal plants that could suppress seizures in the maximal electroshock (MES)-induced tonic seizure model in mice. Material and Methods: The screening test was performed for 10 natural substances (alizarin, betulin, curcumin, diosmin, linalool, menthofuran, α-terpineol, theobromine, β-thujaplicin and vanillin) administered intraperitoneally in a constant dose of 300 mg/kg at various pre-treatment times (15, 30, 60 and 120 min.) before the MES test. Results: Only α-terpineol and vanillin produced a 12.5% protection against MES-induced tonic seizures in mice, when administered i.p. at 120 and 60 min., prior to the MES test, respectively. In contrast, the remaining substances (alizarin, betulin, curcumin, diosmin, linalool, menthofuran, theobromine and β-thujaplicin) produced no anti-convulsant activity after their i.p. administration to mice. Conclusions: α-Terpineol and vanillin are worth considering as potentially favorable compounds in experimental epileptology.