The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of trans-resveratrol, a potent antioxidant, against FeCl3-induced posttraumatic seizures. Male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were implanted with epidural electrodes and allowed to recover After the recording of baseline EEG. FeCl3 (5 microl, 100 mM) was administered intracortically over a period of 5 min and EEG was monitored for 2 h. Subsequently, rats were sacrificed for the estimation of oxidative stress markers, ie., malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione in whole brain tissue. A sham group was run parallel with saline (pH adjusted) and similar protocol for EEG recording and estimation of oxidative stress markers was followed FeCl3-treated animals exhibited epileptiform EEG changes thigh amplitude sharp waves of increased frequency and polyspikes) within 15 min, which continued throughout the period of observation. The level of MDA was found to be significantly elevated, whereas insignificant change was observed in the level of glutathione. trans-Resveratrol (20 and 40 mg/kg ip.) administered 30 min before FeCl3 injection delayed the onset of the appearance of epileptiform EEG changes. The brain MDA levels were also significantly reduced in the trans-resveratrol-treated animals as compared to the vehicle-treated FeCl3-injected rats. The findings show the protective effect of trans-resveratrol in the FeCl3-induced seizure model of posttraumatic seizures.