Pharmacological Investigation of Anticonvulsant Effect of Artemisia Vulgaris on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures in Zebrafish Experimental Model

Abstract

Background:: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, characterized by abnormal, unpredictable, and recurrent seizures. In the alternative medicine system, Artemisia vulgaris has been used to treat epileptic symptoms since its inception. However, scientific evidence concerning its effect on the treatment of epileptic seizures is not available. Objective:: The objective of the study is to evaluate the anti-convulsant potential of Artemisia vulgaris in zebrafish experimental models. Methods:: Zebrafish larvae and adult zebrafish were used as experimental models. Briefly, larvae and adult zebrafish were exposed to 0.5% of the test medicine Artemisia vulgaris mother tincture (ϕ) and its potencies (6CH, 30CH), and valproic acid for 1 hour. After 1 hour of exposure, they were exposed to pentylenetetrazole to record different seizure scores from 1 to 5 using ANY maze video tracking software. Results:: Artemisia vulgaris 30CH in zebrafish larvae and Artemisia vulgaris 6CH and 30CH in adult zebrafish delayed the latency score from score 1 to score 5 and were found effective against PTZinduced locomotor activity and seizure duration and intensity. Conclusion:: In conclusion, Artemisia vulgaris (6CH and 30CH) has the potential to be a novel treatment for symptomatic epileptic seizures and could be a potential alternative drug candidate for symptomatic treatment of epilepsy.