Simin Namvar AGHDAHS, Saeed Alivand PAYDARI, Amir PASHAEI
Archives of Epilepsy - 2026;32(3):82-90
Objective: Lavender contains essential oils that can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the activity of brain neurons. Therefore, its antiepileptic effects were investigated in this study. Methods: Forty two male mice were randomly assigned to 7 groups of 6 mice each. Included: (1) control group receiving distilled water; (2) the kindled group receiving only pentylenetetrazol; (3) experimental groups that received extract at different doses of lavender; and (4) two experimental groups receiving diazepam and phenytoin. Epileptogenesis was assessed by monitoring chemical seizure scores. Memory was assessed using a novel object recognition (NOR) test. Histological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The antioxidant effect of lavender extract was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Binding affinities of phytochemical compounds were assessed by molecular docking. Results: Data analysis indicated that treatment with Lavadula extracts had a pronounced effect on chemical kindling. The result of the NOR test demonstrated that lavender extract ameliorated memory impairment. Histological examination showed that lavender extract had neuroprotective effects in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. The data showed that pretreatment with lavender extract decreased brain MDA levels. In silico studies showed that lavender phytochemicals have a high affinity for GABAA receptors and voltage-gated sodium channels. Conclusion: The findings suggest that lavender extract has considerable anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and antioxidant effects on pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling in hippocampal tissue. These medicinal herbs may be beneficial for the treatment of seizures in humans; however, further investigation is warranted.
