Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic and Neurotoxicity Profile of Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) DC (Compositae) Root Ethanolic Extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) DC root has long been used as a traditional an-tiepileptic remedy in Unani system of medicine over centuries. Aim of the Study: To rationalize the ethnomedical claim and screen for anxiolytic and neurotoxicity profile of ethanolic extract of Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) root (APE). Materials and Methods: The anticonvulsant and anxiolytic potential of APE (100-800 mg/kg) was evaluated against Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), Bicuculline (BCL), Increasing current electroshock (ICES) and Elevated plus maze(EPM) models. Rotarod test was employed as neurotoxicity model including an additional higher dose (1600 mg/kg). Results: The APE showed significant anticonvulsant activity (p < 0.001) against PTZ (70 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner but against BCL (30 mg/kg, i.p.) at the dose 800 mg/kg only (p < 0.001). However, it did not protect animals against ICES induced seizures (p > 0.05). The extract also showed anxiolytic behaviour in EPM (p < 0.001) and impaired motor coordination only at 1600 mg/kg in rotarod performance. HPTLC of the extract confirmed the presence of eugenol in the extract. Conclusions: The results suggested significant anticonvulsant activity of APE against PTZ and BCL but failure against ICES. Moreover, APE also exhibited anxiolytic potential without any evidence of neurotoxicity at the effective dose level. We concluded that anticonvulsant effect of APE is probably mediated by enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission.