Master’s Thesis at Babylon University College of Medicine on Epilepsy
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the College of Medicine, University of Babylon, held a defense for the Master’s thesis of student Dhi Ali Abbas Hassan Al-Mousawi, entitled:
“The Effect of Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) on an Induced Model of Epilepsy in Rats,”
under the supervision of Professor Dr. Salman Mohammed Salman and Professor Dr. Kazem Jawad Al-Hamdani.
The defense was attended by the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Muhannad Abbas Al-Shallah, along with several faculty members and postgraduate students.
During her defense, the researcher explained that epilepsy, a disorder of unprovoked seizures, is a multifaceted disease that affects individuals of all ages, with a particular prevalence among the young and elderly. In addition to seizures, many patients report cognitive and psychological problems linked to the seizures themselves and their treatment. Epilepsy can result from various causes, either idiopathic or acquired, with a wide range of treatment responses. Despite the availability of multiple treatments for controlling recurrent seizures—including medications, dietary therapies, immunotherapy, surgery, and neuro-modulatory devices—a significant proportion of patients continue to suffer from uncontrolled seizures, leading to psychological and social stigma and, in some cases, death.
In this study, the researcher focused on the management of epilepsy, particularly examining the effects of the plant Pelargonium graveolens (commonly known as geranium) on an animal model of epilepsy.
Pelargonium graveolens, known as scented geranium, is one of more than 250 species within the Pelargonium genus, native to the southern regions of Africa. However, not all species remain there. Through spice trade and the collection of medicinal plants by sailors, some varieties have naturally spread to areas like Australia, East Africa, New Zealand, the Middle East, and islands such as St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha, and Madagascar.
While the plant is widely appreciated for its fragrance, it is the essential oils that provide its therapeutic benefits. These oils are secondary metabolites produced by the plant. They are volatile, natural, and chemically complex compounds known for aiding plant reproduction by attracting insects for seed and pollen dispersal, and—more importantly—protecting the plant from bacteria, viruses, pests, and fungi. These benefits have driven the use of essential oils in industries like food and pharmaceuticals.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) has shown multiple beneficial properties. Its antibacterial and antifungal actions highlight strong potential to replace current drug therapies, particularly in light of rising antimicrobial resistance. The plant demonstrates promising traditional potential in today’s world as both a preservative and, more importantly, a therapeutic agent.
In conclusion, Pelargonium graveolens exhibits anticonvulsant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, as evidenced by behavioral and biochemical tests. These tests demonstrated that the plant enhances antioxidant biomarkers and reduces inflammatory markers. Furthermore, it decreases seizure frequency and duration while increasing latency to seizure onset—effects comparable to those seen with standard antiepileptic drugs like diazepam.