Antiepileptic Activity of Zingerone on Maximal Electroshock and Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizure in Mice

Background and objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder affecting a broad spectrum of individuals. Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of oxidative stress in epilepsy; adjuvant antiepileptic medicines aimed at reducing oxidative stress may serve as a novel therapeutic approach. In the present study, we investigated the effects of zingerone, a phenolic compound, on maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers in mice. Methods: In the MES model, the first and second groups received saline and phenytoin (25 mg/kg i.p.), respectively. Groups three to five received zingerone (5, 10, and 30 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, the digital electroconvulsiometer developed seizures. In the PTZ model, the first and second groups received saline, whereas the others received diazepam (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or zingerone (5, 10, and 30 mg/kg). On day five, PTZ (80 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to all groups. After behavioral experiments, the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the brain tissue of PTZ model mice were measured. Results: Our findings suggest that zingerone may have anticonvulsant effects by increasing latency and decreasing the duration of clonic convulsion, tonic hindlimb extension, and mortality rate. Additionally, zingerone administration increased SOD and CAT activities and decreased TBARS levels in the brain tissue of PTZ model mice. Conclusion: This study suggests that zingerone protects against epileptic seizures and alleviates the oxidative stress associated with epilepsy pathogenesis.