The present study was carried out to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of hydro alcoholic extract of Aqer Qerha (Anacyclus pyrethrum DC.) root and validate its use as antiepileptic drug as claimed in Unani system of medicine. Two experimental models of epilepsy viz. PTZ induced seizure test and maximal electroshock seizure test (MES) were used in the study. The rats of wistar strain were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group I served as plain control and was given distilled water 2 ml/kg orally; Group II was given diazepam 5 mg/ kg i.p. and served as standard control; Animals in Group III and IV were treated with hydro alcoholic extract of Aqer Qerha in the dose of 65 mg/kg and 130 mg/ kg, respectively. The hind leg extension in MES test and onset of the first seizure, clonic and tonic seizure, total number of convulsions and duration of tonic and clonic convulsion were assessed in PTZ induced seizure test. The parameters were analyzed and compared statistically for different groups.

It was found that AQ significantly (p<0.05) reduced tonic hind leg extensor stage in MES induced epilepsy. In PTZ induced seizures, it delayed the onset of the first seizure, clonic and tonic seizure; and decreased the total number of convulsions and duration of tonic and clonic convulsion significantly (p<0.05). The drug at higher dose protected all the animals from death, while the percentage of protection from death at lower dose was 33%.The study demonstrated that the test drug possesses significant anticonvulsant activity against both PTZ and maximal electroshock induced seizures. The study validated the claim