Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum in rat brain.
BACKGROUND
Essential oil of Pimpinella anisum L. Apiaceae (anise oil) has been widely used in traditional Persian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including some neurological disorders. This study was aimed to test the possible anti-seizure and anti-hypoxia effects of anise oil.


METHODS
The effects of different concentrations of anise oil were tested on seizure attacks induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection and neuronal hypoxia induced by oxygen withdrawal as well as on production of dark neurons and induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in in vivo and in vitro experimental models of rat brain.


RESULTS
Anise oil significantly prolonged the latency of seizure attacks and reduced the amplitude and duration of epileptiform burst discharges induced by injection of intraperitoneal PTZ. In addition, anise oil significantly inhibited production of dark neurons in different regions of the brain in epileptic rats. Anise oil also significantly enhanced the duration of the appearance of anoxic terminal negativity induced by oxygen withdrawal and inhibited induction of LTP in hippocampal slices.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of anise oil, likely via inhibition of synaptic plasticity. Further evaluation of anise oil to use in the treatment of neurological disorders is suggested.
Shefa Neuroscience Center, Tehran, Iran.
Fariba
F
Karimzadeh
Mahmoud
M
Hosseini
Diana
D
Mangeng
Hassan
H
Alavi
Gholam Reza
GR
Hassanzadeh
Mohamad
M
Bayat
Maryam
M
Jafarian
Hadi
H
Kazemi
Ali
A
Gorji
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028042:Pimpinella / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole