The Effect of Ferula assa-foetida Hydroalcoholic Extract on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures in Male Rats

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder with treatment resistance remaining a challenge. Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) is traditionally used in Persian medicine for neurological conditions, but its effects on seizure parameters are rarely investigated. This study evaluated the effect of F. assa-foetida hydroalcoholic extract on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in male rats.

Methods: 35 adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=7): control (saline + PTZ), three groups receiving 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg extract (i.p., 30 min before PTZ), and diazepam (1 mg/kg) as positive control. Seizures were induced by PTZ (85 mg/kg, i.p.). Parameters included latency to onset, duration of tonic, clonic, and tonic-clonic phases, total seizure duration, Racine scores, and 24-hour mortality. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with LSD post-hoc test.

Results: Doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg extract significantly increased seizure latency versus control (p < 0.001). However, contrary to classical anticonvulsant profiles, these doses also significantly increased tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic, and total seizure durations (p < 0.05). The 200 mg/kg dose showed comparable latency to diazepam (p > 0.05) but differed significantly on seizure durations (p < 0.05). Racine scores were not significantly reduced by the extract. The 24-hour survival rate increased dose-dependently (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Ferula assa-foetida extract exhibits a mixed profile in the PTZ model: it delays seizure onset and improves survival but prolongs motor seizure durations. These findings do not support a classical anticonvulsant effect, suggesting a complex pharmacology requiring further investigation.

Keywords: Ferula assa-foetida, Pentylenetetrazole, Seizure, Anticonvulsant, Diazepam.