Characterization of anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic potential of thymol in various experimental models

The present study was to investigate the anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic potential of thymol. Anticonvulsant activity of thymol (5-100 mg/kg i.p.) was studied using maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), strychnine and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) models. Thymol at the selected dose was also studied for its effect on locomotion. Antiepileptogenic property of thymol (5-25 mg/kg) was evaluated using PTZ-induced kindling model along with its effect on malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Thymol (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed anticonvulsant activity against maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazole (66.66 and 83.33 % protection at 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively) model but not against strychnine and 4-aminopyridine models. Thymol exhibited decreased locomotor activity in dose-dependent manner at the same dose range. Thymol at the dose of (25 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased the seizure score, increased glutathione levels and decreased malondialdehyde levels in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling model. Thymol exhibited significant anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic property.