Screening of Pistacia integerrima extracts for their anticonvulsant activity in acute zebrafish and rodent models of epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common, serious neurological conditions, affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. This disorder is characterized by the occurrence of spontaneous and recurrent seizures due to the abnormal, excessive, and synchronous electrical firing of neuronal networks Aim: The objective of the present study was to evaluate Pistacia integerrima (PI) gall extracts in acute models of epilepsy for their anticonvulsant activity. Materials and Methods: Extraction of galls of PI using a Soxhlet apparatus was carried out to yield petroleum ether and methanolic extracts. Both the extracts were screened in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in the zebrafish model. The active extract was further evaluated in the PTZ-induced seizures in mice. Both extracts were further screened in the maximal electroshock (MES) model in rats. Results: The petroleum ether extract of Pistacia integerrima (PEPI) exhibited dose-dependent delay at 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg in the onset of different seizure parameters in PTZ-induced seizures in the zebrafish model that was further confirmed in mice at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. In addition, the extract exhibited delay in the duration of hind limb extension (HLE) as well as protected from it at 50 mg/kg, 100mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg in the MES model in rats. The metabolic extract of Pistacia integerrima (MEPI) was unable to protect from seizures in both preliminary screening (PTZ and MES) models. Conclusion: The results showed that PEPI demonstrated potential anticonvulsant activity in zebrafish and rodent models of epilepsy. This may be attributed to the presence of essential oil and its phytoconstituents, indicating its role in suppressing generalized absence and tonic-clonic seizures.