Sericin alleviates pentylenetetrazole kindling epilepsy and associated comorbidities via modulation of GABA-T enzyme and mitochondrial activity

Objective:To assess the effect of sericin against pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)kindling epilepsy and its associated comorbidities.Methods:Epilepsy was induced with PTZ at the dose of 30 mg/kg i.p.on alternative days for 25 days in rats.Sericin was administered orally at the doses of 250,500,and 1000 mg/kg for 35 days.The behavioral activities were performed using an elevated plus maze,forced swim test,and Morris water maze test.A PTZ challenge test was conducted on day 32.On day 35,rats were sacrificed to perform oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,neuroinflammation,neurotransmitters,GABA-T activity,and histopathological analyses.Results:Sericin at 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly reduced behavioral changes and neuroinflammatory cytokines,as well as improved oxidative stress,mitochondrial enzyme complex activity,neurotransmitter level,and GABA-T enzymatic activity(P<0.05).Moreover,sericin improved the neuronal survival altered by PTZ kindling in rat hippocampus.Conclusions:Sericin mitigates epilepsy-associated secondary complications possibly by the modulation of mitochondrial enzyme complexes and GABA-T enzymatic activity.

Effects of Chloroquine on GFAP, PCNA and Cyclin D1 in Hippocampus and Cerebral Cortex of Rats with Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole

The effects of chloroquine on glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）, proliferation cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats with seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole （PTZ） were observed in the present study. Forty-eight male adult Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into control group, chloroquine intervening group, and PTZ group. The behavior and electroencephalogram （EEG） were observed and recorded. GFAP and PCNA were examined with immunohistochemistry. The content of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was inspected with Western blot. The results showed no seizure activity in the control group, severe seizure activity in the PTZ group （Ⅳ - Ⅴ degree）, and slight seizure activity （ Ⅰ -- Ⅲ degree） in the chloroquine intervening group （P〈0.05）. EEG recordings showed no epileptic spikes in the control group, high amplitude with fast frequency in the PTZ group, low amplitude and slow frequency in the chloroquine intervening group. The expression of GFAP and the positive index of PCNA in the PTZ group were higher than those of control group （P 〈0.05 and P〈0.01, respectively）. No differences in GFAP expression and PCNA index were observed between chloroquine intervening and control groups （P〉0.05）. The content of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was significantly higher in the PTZ group than in control and chloroquine intervening groups （P〈 0.05）. Therefore, it is considered that chloroquine, by inhibiting the functions and proliferation of glial cells in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, can alleviate the seizure activities. These results suggest that chloroquine may be an ideal anticonvulsant in preventing and treating epilepsy.

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of the essential oil of Myrothamnus moschatus in convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole and picrotoxin

Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of the essential oil of Myrothamnus moschatus(M. moschatus) in convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole and picrotoxin in rodent models.Methods: The essential oil of the aerial parts of M. moschatus was extracted by steam distillation. Thereafter, it was injected subcutaneously to rats and mice at escalating doses(0.1–0.8 m L/kg). Ten minutes after drug injection, pentylenetetrazole was injected intraperitoneally to rats and picrotoxin was administered to mice by the same route.Diazepam served as the positive control. Every single animal was placed into transparent cage and observed for convulsive behavior for 30 min by using ordinary security cameras connected to a video recorder. Death occurring for a period of 24 h was also recorded.Results: The essential oil at 0.8 m L/kg completely arrested the pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion without any sedative effect and delayed its appearance at lower doses, but showed moderate activities on picrotoxin-induced convulsion. For the rats treated with pentylenetetrazole alone, the mortality was 100% within 1 h, but for the rats pre-treated with the essential oil, the mortality was 0%. For the mice treated with picrotoxin, the mortality rate was also 100%, while 20%–100% died in those that had been pre-treated with the oil.Conclusions: The results confirmed at least partly the traditional uses of the smoke of M. moschatus for the management of convulsion, and implied that the essential oil may inhibit the convulsion by GABAergic neuromodulation.

Chaihushugan decoction exerts antiepileptic effects by increasing hippocampal glutamate metabolism in pentylenetetrazole-kindled rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiepileptic effects of Chaihushugan decoction(CHSGD) in rats with pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced seizures and to discuss the impact of CHSGD on glutamate metabolism, a hypothesized underlying mechanism of seizure reduction.METHODS: Fifty Wistar rats were divided randomly into either control(n = 10) or experimental(n = 40)groups. Rats in the control group were administered physiological saline intraperitoneally. A subconvulsive dose of PTZ(35 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to rats in the experimental group to induce seizures. The fully PTZ-kindled rats were then randomly divided into five subgroups(n = 8 each) based on the following treatment categories: physiological saline, VPA(200 mg/kg), CHSGD(2.5 g/kg), CHSGD(5 g/kg), or CHSGD(10 g/kg),administered orally once per day, respectively. On day 28 following initiation of drug treatment, seizures were monitored. The rats were then sacrificed, and hippocampal dissections were performed for subsequent studies.RESULTS: CHSGD significantly prolonged the latency of myoclonic, clonic, and tonic seizures, while decreasing overall seizure rates in the kindled rats.The measured concentrations of 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose(2-NBDG) and glutamate were significantly lower in the hippocampi of kindled rats in groups treated with CHSGD compared with those treated with PTZ alone. In addition, CHSGD was found to up-regulate both the expression of glutamate transporter-1(GLT-1) protein and the activity of glutamine synthetase(GS) in the hippocampi of kindled rats.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CHSGD has antiepileptic effects on PTZ-induced seizures.The results further suggest an increase in glutamate metabolism at the synaptic cleft is a putative underlying mechanism of seizure reduction.

Effects of thioperamide on seizure development and memory impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy in rats

Background Histamine H3 receptor antagonists have been considered as potential drugs to treat central nervous system diseases. However, whether these drugs can inhibit epileptogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thioperamide, a selective and potent histamine H3 receptor antagonist, on the seizure development and memory impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole （PTZ）-kindling epilepsy in rats. Methods Chemical kindling was elicited by repeated intraperitoneal （ip） injections of a subconvulsant dose of PTZ （35 mg/kg） once every 48 hours for 12 times, and seizure activity of kindling was recorded for 30 minutes. Control rats were ip injected with saline instead of PTZ. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the spatial memory. Phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein （p-CREB） was tested by Western blotting in hippocampus. Results Intracerebroventricular （icv） injections with thioperamide （10 μg, 20 μg） 30 minutes before every PTZ injections, significantly prolonged the onset of PTZ-kindling and inhibited the seizure stages. PTZ-kindling seizures led to the impairment of spatial memory in rats, and thioperamide ameliorated the impairment of spatial learning and memory. Compared to non-kindling rats, there was a significant decrease in p-CREB level in hippocampus of the PTZ-kindling rats, which was reversed by thioperamide. Conclusions Thioperamide plays a protective role in seizure development and cognitive impairment of PTZ-induced kindling in rats. The protection of thioperamide in cognitive impairment is possibly associated with the enhancement of CREB-dependent transcription.

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 regulates hippocampal CA1 region excitability in rats with status epilepticus by suppressing the HCN1 channel

Dysregulation of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation(HCN)channels alters neuronal excitability.However,the role of HCN channels in status epilepticus is not fully understood.In this study,we established rat models of pentylenetetrazole-induced status epilepticus.We performed western blot assays and immunofluorescence staining.Our results showed that HCN1 channel protein expression,particularly HCN1 surface protein,was significantly decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region,whereas the expression of HCN2 channel protein was unchanged.Moreover,metabolic glutamate receptor 1(mGluR1)protein expression was increased after status epilepticus.The mGluR1 agonist(RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine injected intracerebroventricularly increased the sensitivity and severity of pentylenetetrazole-induced status epilepticus,whereas application of the mGluR1 antagonist(+)-2-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine(LY367385)alleviated the severity of pentylenetetrazole-induced status epilepticus.The results from double immunofluorescence labeling revealed that mGluR1 and HCN1 were co-localized in the CA1 region.Subsequently,a protein kinase A inhibitor(H89)administered intraperitoneally successfully reversed HCN1 channel inhibition,thereby suppressing the severity and prolonging the latency of pentylenetetrazole-induced status epilepticus.Furthermore,H89 reduced the level of mGluR1,downregulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A expression,significantly increased tetratricopeptide repeat-containing Rab8b-interacting protein(TRIP8b)(1a-4)expression,and restored TRIP8b(1b-2)levels.TRIP8b(1a-4)and TRIP8b(1b-2)are subunits of Rab8b interacting protein that regulate HCN1 surface protein.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 regulates bloodbrain barrier permeability in epileptic mice

Destruction of the blood-brain barrier is a critical component of epilepsy pathology.Several studies have demonstrated that sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 contributes to the modulation of vascular integrity.However,its effect on blood-brain barrier permeability in epileptic mice remains unclear.In this study,we prepared pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus models and pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy models in C57BL/6 mice.S1P1 expression was increased in the hippocampus after status epilepticus,whereas tight junction protein expression was decreased in epileptic mice compared with controls.Intraperitoneal injection of SEW2871,a specific agonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1,decreased the level of tight junction protein in the hippocampus of epileptic mice,increased blood-brain barrier leakage,and aggravated the severity of seizures compared with the control.W146,a specific antagonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1,increased the level of tight junction protein,attenuated blood-brain barrier disruption,and reduced seizure severity compared with the control.Furthermore,sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 promoted the generation of interleukin-1βand tumor necrosis factor-αand caused astrocytosis.Disruption of tight junction protein and blood-brain barrier integrity by sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 was reversed by minocycline,a neuroinflammation inhibitor.Behavioral tests revealed that sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 exacerbated epilepsy-associated depression-like behaviors.Additionally,specific knockdown of astrocytic S1P1 inhibited neuroinflammatory responses and attenuated blood-brain barrier leakage,seizure severity,and epilepsy-associated depression-like behaviors.Taken together,our results suggest that astrocytic sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 exacerbates blood-brain barrier disruption in the epileptic brain by promoting neuroinflammation.

Phytochemical screening and anticonvulsant studies of ethyl acetate fraction of Globimetula braunii on laboratory animals

Objective:To investigate the phytochemical properties and the anticonvulsant potential of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of ethanol leaf extract of Globimetida braunii,a plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy.Methods:The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard protocol while the anticonvulsant activity was studied using maximal electroshock test in chicks,pentylenetetrazole and 4-aminopyridine—induced seizures in mice.Results:The preliminary phytochemical screening carried out on the crude ethanol extract revealed the presence of saponins,carbohydrates,flavonoids,tannins,anthraquinones and steroids.Similarly,tannins,flavonoids and steroids/terpenes were found to be present in the ethyl acetate fraction,In the pharmacological screening,150 mg/kg of the fraction protected 83.33%of animals against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in mice whereas sodium valproate a standard anti-epileptic drug offered 100%protection.In the 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure model,the fraction produced a significant(P<0.05)increase in the mean onset of seizure in unprotected animals.The fraction did not exhibit a significant activity against maximal electroshock convulsion.The median lethal dose of the fraction was found to be 1261.91 mg/kg.Conclusions:These results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of Globimetula braunii leaves extract possesses psychoactive compound that may be useful in the management of petit mal epilepsy and lend credence to the ethnomedical use of the plant in the management of epilepsy.

Effect of glutathione on brain nitric oxide levels in an experimental epilepsy mouse model

BACKGROUND： Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Glutathione, known as one of the compounds of antioxidant defense, has been shown to inhibit convulsions. Nitric oxide has a proconvulsant effect on a pentylenetetrazole-induced animal model. OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the effects of glutathione administration on nitric oxide levels in brain regions of convulsive and kindling pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure models. DESIGN, TIME, AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment. The study was performed at the Department of Physiology, Gaziantep University and Department of Chemistry-Biochemistry,Kahramamaras Sutcu Imam University in 2006. MATERIALS： Pentylenetetrazole and glutathione were purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： A total of 80 mice were assigned to 8 groups （n = 10）： normal control, saline control （1 mL normal saline）, convulsive pentylenetetrazole （single intraperitoneal administration of pentylenetetrazole, 60 mg/kg）, convulsive pentylenetrazole plus glutathione （single administration of 60 mg/kg pentylenetetrazole and 200 mg/kg glutathione）, five-dose glutathione （intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg glutathione respectively at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days）, single-dose glutathione （single administration of 200 mg/kg glutathione）, pentylenetetrazole kindling （intraperitoneal administration of pentylenetetrazole of 40 mg/kg at 1,3, 5, 7, and 10 days）, and pentylenetetrazole kindling plus glutathione group （intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg pentylenetetrazole and 200 mg/kg glutathione respectively at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： All mice were sacrificed 1 hour after the last administration. Brain nitric oxide levels were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS： There were no significant differences in nitric oxide levels between the normal control, saline control, five-dose glutathione, and single-dose glutathione groups （P 〉 0.05）. Nitric oxide levels in the cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum were significantly less in the convulsive pentylenetetrazole group, compared with the convulsive pentylenetetrazole plus glutathione group （P 〈 0.01）, and levels in the pentylenetetrazole kindling group were remarkably greater than the remaining groups （P 〈 0.01 ）. Brain nitric oxide levels in all groups gradually decreased from the right brain stem to the left brain stem, cerebellum, left cerebral hemisphere, and right cerebral hemisphere. CONCLUSION： Glutathione regulated nitric oxide levels in various brain regions of pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling models, and did not affect nitric oxide levels in the control mice. These results indicated that glutathione played a role when nitric oxide was over-produced. In addition, the brain stem exhibited the highest levels of nitric oxide in both control mice and pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling models.

Intranasal ginsenoside Rb1 protects pentyl⁃enetetrazole-induced epileptic mice

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether ginsenoside Rb1 has antiepileptic effects on pen⁃tylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced epileptic mice via intranasal therapeutic administration.METHODS Rb1 monoclonal antibody was used to observe the distribution of Rb120 mg·kg-1 in mouse brain tissues under different administration routes and to explore the feasibility of intranasal Rb1.PTZ was injected intraperitoneally into healthy ICR mice every 48 hours to construct a tonic-clonic epileptic model.Then Rb120 or 40 mg·kg-1 or valproate 300 mg·kg-1 or saline was administered intranasally for 30 d,and PTZ was continued every five days to imitate occa⁃sional convulsions in the clinic.Racine scale(RCS)and wireless electroencephalogram(EEG)monitoring were used to assess the presence and severity of seizure.Immunofluorescence(IF)was performed after drug treatment to evalu⁃ate the effect of Rb1 on brain neuron,microglia and astrocyte in epileptic mice.RESULTS Rb1 had specific binding with anti-Rb1 in the brain under different administration routes,and intrana⁃sal Rb1 was able to enter the brain and play a therapeutic role(P<0.01).PTZ-injured mice pre⁃sented body mass loss,higher seizure stage and shorter seizure latency.At the same time,epilep⁃tic waves,mainly spikes,were detected by wire⁃less EEG.Compared with PTZ group,intranasal Rb1 increased mice weight(P<0.01)and seizure latency(P<0.05),reduced seizure stage(P<0.01)and EEG spikes.In addition,Rb1 significantly reduced neuron loss(P<0.01)indicated by NeuN staining and decreased the number of acti⁃vated microglia(P<0.01)indicated by Iba-1 staining in the cortex and CA1 area of hippocam⁃pus.Moreover,Rb1 reduced the decrease of GLT-1 and GS expression(P<0.05)induced by PTZ.CONCLUTION Intranasal Rb1 has anti-epi⁃leptic effects on PTZ mice.Moreover,Intranasal Rb1 affects the functions of neurons,astrocytes and microglia through regulating the expression of GLT and GS in astrocytes,which may be related to its anti-epileptic effect.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of 6,8-Dimethoxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in PTZ-Induced Seizure Model in Mice

This study we describe the synthesis of a novel structure of anticonvulsant agent as 6,8-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinoline by using GYKI52466, which was the potent anticonvulsant agent, as the lead molecule. Com-pound IV was synthesized and anticonvulsant effects was evaluated against Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in mice. The acute anticonvulsant effect was tested with a single dose of 25 and 75 μmol/kg of the synthesis compound. Sodium valproate and normal saline were used as the reference standard and control, respectively. All compounds were injected intraperitoneally to each mouse an hour prior to seizure induced by injection of 60 mg/kg PTZ and observed their behavior for 30 minutes. The result showed that the IV at 75 μmol/kg could delay the latency to first twitch and decrease percent mortality compared to control group.

Antiepileptic activity of lobeline isolated from the leaf of Lobelia nicotianaefolia and its effect on brain GABA level in mice

Objective:To investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the lobeline isolated from the Lobelia nicotianaefolia in chemoconvulsant-induced seizures and its biochemical mechanism by investigating relationship between seizure activities and altered gamma amino butyric acid(GABA)in brain of mice in Pentylenetetrazol(PTZ) seizure models.Methods:The anticonvulsant activity of the isolated lobelinc(5,10,20 and 30 mg/kg.i.p.) was investigated in PTZ and strychnine induced seizures in mice and the effect of isolated lolieline on brain GABA level in seizures induced by PTZ.Diazepam was used as reference anticonvulsant drugs for comparison.Results:Isolated lobeliue(10,20 and 30 nig/kg.up.) significautly delayed and antagonized(P < 0.050-0.001)the onset of PTZ-induced seizures.It also antagonized strychnine induced seizures.The mortality was also prevented in the test group of animals.In biochemical evaluation,isolated lolieline(5,10and 20 mg/kg,i.p.) significantly increased the brain GABA level.And at dose of 30 mg/kg GABA level showed slight decrease in PTZ model.Conclusions:In our findings,isolated lolieline(20mg/kg) exhibited potent anticonvulsant activity against PTZ induced seizures.Also a biochemical evaluation suggested significant increase in harain GABA level at 20 nig/kg up.of isolated lolieline.Hence,we may propose that lolieline reduces epileptic seizures by enhancing the GABA release supporting the GABAergic mechanism.

Effects of nanometer particles and water decoction of the Chinese medicine mixture of pinellia ternate and scorpion on P53 protein contents and apoptosis in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats

BACKGROUND： Water decoction of the Chinese traditional medicine mixture of pinellia ternate and scorpion is an effective treatment for epilepsy. OBJECTIVE： To compare nanometer particles and effects of water decoction of Chinese traditional medicine mixture on P53 protein levels and apoptosis in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized, controlled molecular biology study was performed at the Key Laboratory of Child Neural Rehabilitation of Jiamusi University from October to December 2007. MATERIALS： Forty healthy male Wistar rats were used in this study. Convulsion rat models were established by intraperitoneal infusion of 35 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol, once a day, for 28 successive days. The Chinese traditional medicine mixture, comprising pinellia ternate, scorpion, centipede, bupleurum, peach pit and glycyrrhiza, was purchased from Beijing Tongrentang, China. The mixture was made into nanometer particles and water decoction. The apoptosis determination kit and P53 immunohistochemistry kit were bought from Boster, China. METHODS： Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten rats per group, control, nanometer particle, water decoction and epileptic model groups. Rats in the nanometer particle and water decoction groups were respectively treated with 300 mg/kg Chinese herb nanometer particle suspension and water decoction by gavage, once a day, for 28 days. Rats in the epileptic model group were fed an equal volume of saline by gavage. Rats in the control group were only administered with the same volume of saline by gavage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick End Labeling （TUNEL） and immunohistochemistry were used to respectively detect neuronal apoptosis and P53 protein expression in the rat brain cortex and hippocampus at 28 days following administration. RESULTS： The number of apoptotic neurons was lower in the nanometer particle and water decoction groups compared with the epileptic model group. The number of apoptotic cells and P53 protein expression in the rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus was greater in the epileptic model group compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）, but lower in the nanometer particle and water decoction groups compared with the epileptic model group （P 〈 0.05）, and lower in the nanometer particle group compared with the water decoction group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Chinese traditional medicine mixture decreases neuronal apoptosis and P53 protein expression in epileptic rats. The effect of nanometer particles is significant compared with water decoction.

Anti-epileptic effect of morin against experimental pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures via modulating brain monoamines and oxidative stress

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of morin against pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)-induced tonic-clonic convulsions in mice. Methods: Swiss albino mice(18-22 g) was used to induce convulsions by intraperitoneal(i.p.) administration of PTZ(90 mg/kg). Mice were either pretreated with morin(10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) or vehicle(distilled water, 10 mg/kg) 45 min before PTZ administration. Various behavioral and biochemical parameters were assessed. Results: PTZ administration resulted in significant production(P<0.001) of tonic-clonic conclusion and mortality in mice. PTZ-induced increase in the duration of convulsion, onset of convulsion and mortality was inhibited significantly by morin(20 and 40 mg/kg) administration. The PTZinduced decrease in brain GABA, dopamine and Na+K+ATPase levels and increase in xanthine oxidase activity were inhibited significantly by morin(20 and 40 mg/kg) treatment. The increased levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide level were significantly decreased by morin(20 and 40 mg/kg) treatment. Also, reduced levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were increased significantly by morin treatment. Conclusions: Results of the present study indicate that morin showed its anti-convulsant effect via modulating the levels of brain GABA, Na^+K^+ATPase, and oxido-nitrosative stress. Thus, morin can be a potential candidate for further clinical evaluations as an anti-epileptic agent.

Effects of antisense glutamic aciddecarboxylase oligodeoxynucleotide on epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazol

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of antisense glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD(67)) oligodeoxynucleo-tide (ODN) on behavior, seizure threshold and EEG of hippocampus in the epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). METHODS: A model of chronic epilepsy in rats was established by PTZ. The inhibition of GAD(67) mRNA expression in hippocampus was selectively induced by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of GAD(67). The effect of antisense GAD(67) ODN on behavior, seizure threshold and EEG recording of kindled rats was examined. RESULTS: Antisense GAD(67) ODN could inhibit the expression of GAD(67) mRNA and the concentration of GABA. It also could significantly shorten the latencies of seizure and increase the level of seizure and the frequency of epileptiform discharges. CONCLUSION: The gene of GAD(67) may be an anti-seizure gene, which might inhibit epileptiform discharge. The treatment of epilepsy by GAD(67) gene will have a bright future.

Synthesis, potential anticonvulsant and antidepressant effects of 2-(5-methyl-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)acetamide derivatives

A new series of 2-(5-methyL2,3-dioxoindolin-1 y)acetamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsive activity in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-evoked convulsion model and antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test (FST) model. Eleven synthesized compounds were found to he protective against PTZ-induced seizure and showed the anticonvulsant activity. In addition, four of the synthesized compounds (41, 4m, 4p and 4q) showed potent antidepressant-like activity. Among these compounds, compound 41 was found to have the most potent antidepressant-like activity, and significantly reduced the duration of immobility time at 100 mg/kg dose level when compared to the vehicle control, which is similar to the reference drug lluoxetine. (C) 2015 Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical. Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier BAT. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND licenses (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).