Background and aims: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. Side effects and resistance to antiepileptic drugs generate demands for developing new treatment. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as the supplements are suggested to treat epilepsy with no side effects. Echium seed oil (EO) contains the perfect balance of omega-3 and 6 PUFAs. This study tested the effect of EO against clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ).
Methods: Male mice were allocated in groups with 10 mice in each. The incidence of clonic seizures was examined by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of PTZ (60 mg/kg). Mice received EO (1 g/kg, i.p.) and after 30, 60, 90, and 180 min, latency and occurrence of clonic seizures was recorded till 30 min after i.p. injection of PTZ. The latency and occurrence of clonic seizures was also determined 60 min after injection of (EO 3 g/kg, i.p.). Then the threshold of clonic seizures was measured by intravenous (i.v.) injection of PTZ (10 mg/ml). EO (3 and 4 g/kg, i.p.) was injected to mice. After 60 min seizure threshold was measured.
Results: Among the doses used, only EO 1g/kg could significantly increase latency of clonic seizures at 60 min after injection (p < 0.001). EO, at the doses used, had no effect on the seizure threshold.
Conclusion: The acute injection of EO had no significant anticonvulsive effects in PTZ model of seizure.