• Animal cells and systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2009

The effects of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), a GABA receptor antagonist, were studied on passive avoidance learning and expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), neuroglobin, and fatty acid binding protein-7 (fabp-7) genes. Zebrafish were trained to stay in a dark compartment to avoid a weight dropping in an acryl shuttle box with a central sliding door. In two training sessions of 2 h interval, each consisting of 3 trials, the crossing time was significantly increased from $43.2{\pm}14.4s$ to $149.3{\pm}38.5s$ in the first training session and remained $116.1{\pm}36.0s$ s in the first trial of the second training session in the control. In zebrafish treated with PTZ before the first training session, the crossing time was significantly increased neither in the first nor in the second training session. However, the increased crossing time was maintained in the second training session when 10 mM PTZ was treated three times for 10 min at 30 min intervals between the first and second training session. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that expression level of hsp70 mRNA increased two to eight fold over that of control in the brain at 0-24 h after termination of PTZ treatment. No change in expression of neuroglobin and fabp-7 mRNA was shown in PTZ-treated zebrafish. Our studies suggest that PTZ impairs learning ability in avoidance response and also modifies expression of genes related to the neuroprotection.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 1999

There are considerable interests in bat biology for investigating hibernation mechanism, in special regard to a hypothesis that the entry into hibernation is closely related with epileptic fit (petit mal) accompanying falling of body temperature, which is characterized by 3 spikes and wave/sec formation in electroencephalograph (EEG). This study was designed in order to examine physiological parameters (body temperature, heart rate, electroencephalograph and brain mapping) during normal patterns of the entry into hibernation and the hibernation period, and to observe effects of epileptogenic agents such as THC, Metrazol, and ILS on the physiological parameters. Based on the experimental results the entry into some hibernation seems to be related with epileptic fit, and therefore it is deduced that north temperate bats and the hamsters might be induced into hibernation by epileptogenic factors (pentylenetetrazol, THC and ILS etc) accompanying falling of body temperature and unique EEG and brain mapping.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-337
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• 2023

Objectives: Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by repeated seizures attributable to synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. The study evaluated the effect of acetone extract of Adansonia digitata stem bark (ASBE) on seizure score, cognition, depression, and neurodegeneration as well as the level of Gamma-Aminobutyrate acid (GABA) and glutamate in Pentylenetetrazol-kindled rats. Methods: Thirty-five rats were assigned into five groups (n = 7). Groups 1-2 received normal saline and 35 mg/kg PTZ every other day. Groups 3-4 received 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg ASBE orally while group 5 received 5 mg/kg diazepam daily for twenty-six days. Group 3-5 received PTZ every other day, 30 mins after ASBE and diazepam. Results: The results showed that Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induces seizure, reduces mobility time in force swim test and decreases the normal cell number in the brain. It also significantly decreases (p < 0.05) catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione activities compared to the ASBE pre-treated rats. Pre-treatment with ASBE reportedly decreases seizure activities significantly (p < 0.05) and increases mobility time in the force swim test. ASBE also significantly elevate (p < 0.05) the normal cell number in the hippocampus, temporal lobe, and dentate gyrus. Conclusion: ASBE reduced seizure activity and prevented depression in PTZ-treated rats. It also prevented neurodegeneration by regulating glutamate and GABA levels in the brain as well as preventing lipid peroxidation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1982

Zizyphus seed(Zizyphus vulgaris Lamark var. Spinosus Bunge) has long been used as hypnotics and sedatives in oriental medicine, and it is reported that the Zizyphus seed elicited a variety of pharmacologic actions besides CNS depression. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Zizyphus seed on the central nervous system and on the blood pressure. The effect of Zizyphus seed on the central nervous system was measured by the influence of thiopental sleeping time and by inhibition of chemical convulsion (strychnine and pentylenetetrazol induced). Blood pressure changes by Zizyphus extract and its mode of action were investigated. The ground Zizyphus seed was extracted with hexane and methanol, consecutively and the supernatants were discarded. The precipitate was re-extracted with distilled water and the supernatant was evaporated to a dark-brownish sticky liquid, which was used as Zizyphus seed extract in this study after dissolving in saline prior to experiment. The results are as follows. 1) Zizyphus seed extract caused marked prolongation of the thiopental sleeping time in mice. 2) The chemical convulsion by strychnine and pentylenetetrazol, and the mortality by them in chicks were not affected by pretreatment of Zizyphus seed extract. 3) Zizyphus seed extract produced transient fall of blood pressure in the cat, and this hypotentive effect was blocked partially by atropine but not affected by bilateral vagotomy and/or hexamethonium, nor propranolol and, chlorpheniramine and/or cimetidine. With the above results, it may be suggested that the water extract of Zizyphus seeds contains components producing CNS depression and hypotension. Furthermore it is felt that the cholinergic effect, but not the adrenergic or histaminergic, is partly responsible for the hypotensive effect of Zizyphus seed extract.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.205-226
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• 1997

Sanpoongdan(SPD) has been known effective on infantile convulsive disorders in clinical field of oriental medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-convulsive, sedation and analgesic effects of SPD in mouse. The anticonvulsive effect was evaluated In mice treated with pentylenetetrazol, stychnine, and picrotoxin. For the sedative effect, observations were made on the sleeping time induced by thiopental sodium and pentobarbital sodium following oral administration of SPD. Furthermore, reduction of spontaneous movements and ataxia using rota rod method were evaluated. Analgesic effects on the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid and on hindlimb pain induced by pressure were also observed. The findings were as follows : 1. The solid extracts of SPD revealed no effect on convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol, strychnine, and picrotoxin. 2. Thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time was prolonged by the administration of the solid extracts of SPD, but this result was devoid of statistical significance. 3. The oral administration of SPD enhanced the sleeping induced by pentobarbital sodium. 4. Spontaneous movements were significantly depressed following the oral administration of the solid extracts of SPD. 5. Ataxia was not shown in rota rod method following the oral administration of the solid extracts of SPD. 6. The solid extracts of SPD showed positive analgesic effects on the acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome. 7. The solid extracts of SPD raised the threshold of the hindlimb pressure pain, but the result was not statistically significant. From the results, it can be concluded that SPD has sedative and analgesic effects.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2013

Morinda officinalis (MO) is a oriental medicinal herb which has been used traditionally for the treatment of impotence, anti-inflammatory, menstrual irregularity action and various brain diseases including antidepressant and anti-stress. In order to examine the mechanism of anticonvulsive effect, we treated the methanol extract of MO (100, 200 mg/kg, P.0) to the sleeping time and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsive mice. The methanol extract of MO prolonged sleep time by pentobarbital. Dose-dependent of methanol extracts of MO were effected the concentration of GABA and GABA-T activity in the brain of PTZ-induced mice. Methanol extracts of MO significantly inhibited the convulsion state as well as the level of lipid peroxidation in the brain. The butanol and dichloromethane fraction of methanol extracts among the others effectively inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation dose dependently ($5.0{\times}10^{-2}{\sim}20.0{\times}10^{-2}g/ml$).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 1993

To evaluate KR-10876, a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, its effects on the central nervous system(CNS) were investigated in mmice as part of phamacological study, and the results were compared with those for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, two prototypes of quinolone antiabctrial agents. All the parameters indicative of CNS function and acute toxicity were measured by close observation of the animals at regular time intervals after oral treatment of test compounds. KR-10876 did not have any effect on the parameters measured at lower does (100, 300 mg/kg, p.o.), it caused ptosis, suppressed spontaneous locomotor activity, hypothemia, and prolonged hexobarbital-induced sleeping time. KR-10876 also had a slight effect on motor coordination only at high dose. Simialr to ciprofloxacin, KR-10876 did not protect mice from pentylenetetrazol-strychnine-, and electroshock-inducedl convulsions at doses tested. These findings demonstrate that KR-10876 affects CNS functions only at high doses. The rank order for effects is ofloxacin$\le$KR-10876>ciprofloxacin.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2006

Objectives: We investigated the effect of electroacupuncture on epileptic rat model and its underlying mechanisms on suppression of the epilepsy. Methods: It was used pentylenetetrazol $(35{\sim}40\;mg/kg.\;i.p)$ induced epileptic rat model and square wave electrical stimulations (5 mA, 5, 40 or 80 Hz frequency) was applied to acupoints on 'Dazhui' and 'Taichong' for 30min. Results: Electroacupuncture suppressed spikes and slow waves of EEG due to the epileptic condition. Out of electroacupuncture, a high frequency of 80Hz had a better effect for suppress epileptic EEG wave. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture can markedly reduce the excitability of cerebral cortex and strengthen the inhibitory process, checking epilepsy wave. Some intrathalamic nuclei have a promoting or inhibiting effect on epileptic EEG wave. This experimental study we are proposed to Electro-acupuncture can suppression epileptic rat model and it's scientific mechanisms.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2017

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures that are usually controlled with antiepileptic/anticonvulsive drugs. However, most antiepileptic drugs produce various side effects such as tolerance and sedation. Thus, there is a growing interest for alternative anticonvulsive drugs, preferably from natural or herbal sources. In this study, we evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG). The anticonvulsive effect of RG extract was evaluated using electroshock- and chemical-induced seizure tests in mice. To identify its probable mechanism of action, the effects of RG extract on $Cl^-$ influx was measured in vitro. We found that RG extract has anticonvulsive effects against electroshock-induced seizures, as indicated by an increased seizure threshold in mice. The RG extract also decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by the GABAergic antagonist, pentylenetetrazole. These results suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of RG extract are mediated through a GABAergic mechanism. In support of this mechanism, our in vitro test showed that RG extract increases intracellular $Cl^-$ influx. Furthermore, RG extract did not show sedative and/or muscle relaxant effects in the open-field and rota-rod tests. Altogether, these results confirm that RG extract could be a herbal anticonvulsant and a potential alternative for clinical use.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.491-495
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• 1999

In order to examine the effects of N-substituted alkyl group on the anticonvulsant activities of N-Cbz-$\alpha$-aminoglutarimides as novel anticonvulsants with broad spectrum, a series of (R) or (S) N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-alkylglutarimides (1 and 2) were prepared from the corresponding (R) or (S) N-Cbz-glutamic acid and evaluated for the anticonvulsant activities in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test and pentylenetetrazol induced seizure(PTZ) test, including the neurotoxicity. The most potent compound in the MES test was (S) N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-methylglutarimide($ED_{50}$=36.3 mg/kg, PI=1.7). This compound was also most potent in the PTZ test ($ED_{50}$=12.5 mg/kg, PI=5.0). The order of anticonvulsant activities against the MES test as evaluated form $ED_{50}$ values for (R) series was N-methyl > N-H > N-ethyl > N-allyl ; for the (S) series N-methyl > N-H > N-ethyl > N-alkyl > N-isobutyl compound. Against the PTZ tests, the order of anticonvulsant activities showed similar pattern ; for the (R) series, N-methyl > N-H > N-ethyl > N-allyl ; for the (S) series N-methyl > N-H > N-ethyl > N-allyl > N-isobutyl compound. From the above results, N-substituted alkyl groups were though to play an important role for the anticonvulsant activities of N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-alkylgutarimides.