Extraction and characterization of essential oil of Lavandula dentata L.: Evaluation of its cytotoxicity and anticonvulsant activities on an epileptic model

The Labiatae (Lamiaceae, Mentaceae) plant family, includes many shrubs and herbs as well as trees and vines, is economically significant. In the present study, aerial portions of Lavandula dentata L. (1753) were collected throughout the vegetative phase and stored in the herbarium for identification, authentication, and description. The analysis was carried out utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The quantitative data were evaluated using peak area normalization without correction factors. Moreover, in vitro, cytotoxicity assay was examined, and anticonvulsant activity was tested in vivo using an epileptic rat model. The sulforhodamine B cell cytotoxicity assay was performed in vitro to assess cellular viability or cytotoxicity produced by the ethanolic extract and oil of L. dentata against HepG2 and Vero cells. In addition, seizure intensity scores and behavioral assessments were evaluaed and revealed that both essential oil and L. dentata extract reduced seizures, decreased distance and latency time in open field experiment, increased both grooming, rearing, and frequency of ambulation. Thus, the ethanolic extract or essential oil of L. dentata influences various behavioral domains and reduces depression-like symptoms in rats by inhibiting convulsion and seizure activity.