Effects of isopulegol on pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in mice: possible involvement of GABAergic system and antioxidant activity.

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of isopulegol, a monoterpene alcohol, in PTZ-induced convulsions and verified possible involved mechanisms. Saline, isopulegol or diazepam were intraperitonealy injected 30 min before PTZ. The latency for development of convulsions and mortality, as well as the mortality protection percentage was recorded. For investigating the involvement of GABAergic system, flumazenil was utilized. The activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase as well as the levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation were measured in brain hippocampus. Similarly to diazepam, isopulegol significantly prolonged the latency for convulsions and mortality of mice. All animals were protected against mortality at higher dose of isopulegol. Flumazenil pretreatment decreased the prolongation of seizure latency induced by both diazepam and isopulegol, although it was not able to reverse the latency and protection percent for mortality. Isopulegol also significantly prevented PTZ-induced increase in lipid peroxidation, preserved catalase activity in normal levels, and prevented the PTZ-induced loss of GSH in hippocampus of mice. These results suggest that the anticonvulsant and bioprotective effects of isopulegol against PTZ-induced convulsions are possibly related to positive modulation of benzodiazepine-sensitive GABA(A) receptors and to antioxidant properties.

• Authors: Maria Izabel Gomes Silva, Maria Angélica Gomes Silva, Manuel Rufino de Aquino Neto, Brinell Arcanjo Moura, Helenira Lourenço de Sousa, Everton Paulo Homem de Lavor, Patrícia Freire de Vasconcelos, Danielle Silveira Macêdo, Damião Pergentino de Sousa, Silvânia Maria Mendes Vasconcelos, Francisca Cléa Florenço de Sousa
• Journal: Fitoterapia (Fitoterapia) Vol. 80 Issue 8 Pg. 506-13 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1873-6971 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19559770 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Antioxidants
• Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
• Plant Extracts
• Receptors, GABA-A
• Terpenes
• isopulegol
• Flumazenil
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Catalase
• Glutathione
• Pentylenetetrazole

Topics

• Animals
• Anticonvulsants (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antioxidants (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Catalase (metabolism)
• Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Interactions
• Flumazenil (pharmacology)
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Hippocampus (drug effects)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Male
• Mice
• Pentylenetetrazole
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Receptors, GABA-A (metabolism)
• Seizures (chemically induced, drug therapy, mortality)
• Terpenes (isolation & purification, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (metabolism)