Abstract
Epilepsy is a most disabling neurological disorder affecting all age groups. Among the various mechanisms that may result in epilepsy, neuronal hyperexcitability and oxidative injury produced by an excessive formation of free radicals may play a role in the development of this pathology. Therefore, new treatment approaches are needed to address resistant conditions that do not respond fully to current antiepileptic drugs. This paper reviews studies on the anticonvulsant activities of essential oils and their chemical constituents. Data from studies published from January 2011 to December 2018 was selected from the PubMed database for examination. The bioactivity of 19 essential oils and 16 constituents is described. Apiaceae and Lamiaceae were the most promising botanical families due to the largest number of reports about plant species from these families that produce anticonvulsant essential oils. Among the evaluated compounds, β-caryophyllene, borneol, eugenol and nerolidol were the constituents that presented antioxidant properties related to anticonvulsant action. These data show the potential of these natural products as health promoting agents and use against various types of seizure disorders. Their properties on oxidative stress may contribute to the control of this neurological condition. However, further studies on the toxicological profile and mechanism of action of essential oils are needed.
Highlights
Epilepsy, one of the most prevalent chronic neurological disorders globally, is characterized by recurrent, unpredictable, and typically unprovoked seizures
The results showed that ZMEO is an efficient anticonvulsant, increasing latency to onset of tonic convulsion induced by PTZ, and by electroshock with effective doses (ED50 ) of 0.26 and 0.27 mL/kg respectively
Gama-decanolactone has neuroprotective effect against seizures induced by isoniazid and 4- aminopyridine, but not by picrotoxin. These results suggest a possible modulation of GABA pathways and potassium channels directly or indirectly [212]
Summary
One of the most prevalent chronic neurological disorders globally, is characterized by recurrent, unpredictable, and typically unprovoked seizures. Subjects from any age group can develop epilepsy, the fastest-growing population segments for new cases are young children and older adults. Two-thirds of initial seizures occur in young children under the age of 2, and in the elderly (over 75 years of age), the prevalence is 3% [1,2]. According to the WHO, at least 50 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy [3]. Epileptic seizures impact the patient’s quality of life, and usually include hospitalization with risks of cognitive and motor impairment, psychological distress, progressive memory loss, social stigmatization, and isolation [4]. A large number of anticonvulsant drugs are available for Biomolecules 2019, 9, 835; doi:10.3390/biom9120835 www.mdpi.com/journal/biomolecules
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