The usage of dietary supplements and other natural products to treat neurological diseases has been growing over time, and accumulating evidence suggests that
flavonoids possess
anticonvulsant properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a
flavonoid-rich extract from orange juice (OJe) in some rodent models of
epilepsy and to explore its possible mechanism of action. The genetically audiogenic
seizures (AGS)-susceptible DBA/2 mouse, the
pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced
seizures in ICR-CD1 mice and the WAG/Rij rat as a genetic model of
absence epilepsy with comorbidity of depression were used. Our results demonstrate that OJe was able to exert
anticonvulsant effects on AGS-sensible DBA/2 mice and to inhibit PTZ-induced
tonic seizures, increasing their latency. Conversely, it did not have anti-absence effects on WAG/Rij rats. Our experimental findings suggest that the anti-
convulsant effects of OJe are likely mediated by both an inhibition of
NMDA receptors at the
glycine-binding site and an agonistic activity on
benzodiazepine-binding site at GABAA receptors. This study provides evidences for the
antiepileptic activity of OJe, and its results could be used as scientific basis for further researches aimed to develop novel complementary
therapy for the treatment of
epilepsy in a context of a multitarget pharmacological strategy.