Ação do trans-anetol em modelos agudo e crônico de convulsão em camundongos

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that affects 1-2% of the world population, and one third of patients are refractory to pharmacological treatment. This fact has stimulated research for new antiepileptic drugs with higher safety and efficacy than those currently available. In this sense, natural products have been an important source in the development of new anticonvulsant drugs. trans-Anethole (TAN) is a phenylpropanoid, component of some essential oils, used in cosmetic and food industry, as a flavoring in food, drink and perfumes. Numerous essential oils have already shown activity in the central nervous system, including anticonvulsant. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of TAN in classic seizure models such as maximal electroshock (MES), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- induced seizure test, kindling and evaluate the electroencephalographic profile of animals treated with this substance. Swiss male mice (Mus musculus) were used and all experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Commission (CEUA) of the Federal University of Paraíba (certificate number 3890250918). In the MES test, TAN 300 and 400 mg/kg (i.p.) doses was able to decrease tonic seizures duration induced by electric discharge (0.5mA, 150 pulses/s, for 0.5 s). In the PTZ-induced seizure test (75 mg/kg, i.p.), TAN 400 mg/kg (i.p.) increased the latency for the first spasm, the latency for generalized seizures, and decrease seizure duration. Regarding mortality, in this test, no deaths were found in pre-treated groups with TAN 400 mg/kg, compared to vehicle. Electroencephalographic analysis showed an amplitude decrease of the waves in TAN 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg groups. In addition, a frequency decrease of the firing rate of action potentials PTZ-induced, was observed. In chronic epilepsy model, kindling or abrasion model, TAN 100 mg/kg reduced the scores according to an adapted Racine scale against subconvusive PTZ stimulus (30 mg / kg, i.p.) during 31 alternate days. The score was kept below 1 during the whole experiment, as a similar data obtained from standard group, diazepam. Therefore, the behavioral and electroencephalographic data results indicate an anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic effect of TAN in acute and chronic models developed.