Implication of nitrergic system in the anticonvulsant effects of ferulic acid in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in male mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Seizures are abnormal discharge of neurons in the brain. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound with antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the nitrergic system in the anticonvulsant effect of FA in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in male mice.

METHODS:

64 male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice weighing 25-29 g were randomly divided into eight experimental groups (n=8). FA at doses 5, 10, and 40 mg/kg alone and in combination with L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) or L-arginine (L-arg) (nitric oxide [NO] precursor) was administrated (intraperitoneal). PTZ was injected (i.v. route) 30 min after drugs administration (1 mL/min). Seizure onset time was recorded and the nitrite levels of prefrontal cortex and serum were determined by the Griess method.

RESULTS:

FA at doses of 10 and 40 mg/kg significantly increased the seizure threshold as well as reduced the serum and brain NO levels in comparison to the saline-received group. Co-administration of the effective dose of FA (10 mg/kg) plus L-arg significantly decreased the seizure threshold in comparison to the effective dose of FA alone. Co-injection of the sub-effective dose of FA (5 mg/kg) with L-NAME significantly increased the seizure threshold as well as significantly decreased the brain NO level in comparison to the sub-effective dose of FA alone.

CONCLUSIONS:

We showed that the nitrergic system, partially at least, mediated the anticonvulsant effect of FA in PTZ-induced seizures in mice. We concluded that L-NAME potentiated while L-arg attenuated the anticonvulsant effect of FA.

• Authors: Hossein Amini-Khoei, Shakiba Nasiri Boroujeni, Zahra Lorigooini, Arash Salehi, Reihaneh Sadeghian, Mohammad Rahimi-Madiseh
• Journal: Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology (J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol) Vol. 34 Issue 2 Pg. 197-203 (Mar 01 2023) ISSN: 2191-0286 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 34412169 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.