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The present study was designed to explore the effect of chronic administration of a new flavone [morusflavone, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)-2',3'-(10'-hydroxy-9',10'-dimethyl-cyclohex-8-enyl)-flavone (compound 1)] at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, orally (p.o.) to pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling in rats (a model of human epilepsy). Compound 1 and four other compounds were isolated from the stem bark of Morus alba. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated and established using standard spectroscopic techniques, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were estimated as oxidative markers in brain tissues of rodents. The progression of kindling in rats was effectively and significantly suppressed at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg of compound 1. In addition, increased the levels of MDA and decreased levels of glutathione were also reversed by compound 1 in kindled rats. Compound 1 treatment was able to restore the reduced glutathione level in the brain tissues of PTZ-kindled rats, thus proving its neuroprotective potential.

Homocysteine [HSCH2CH2CH(NH2)COOH] (Hcy) is a sulfur‐containing amino acid of 135.18 Da of molecular weight, generated during conversion of methionine to cysteine. If there is a higher accumulation of Hcy in the blood, that is usually above 15 µmol/L, it leads to a condition referred to as hyperhomocysteinemia. A meta‐analysis of observational study suggested an elevated concentration of Hcy in blood, which is termed as the risk factors leading to ischemic heart disease and stroke. Further experimental studies stated that Hcy can lead to an increase in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and functional impairment of endothelial cells. The analyses confirmed some of the predictors for Hcy presence, such as serum uric acid (UA), systolic blood pressure, and hematocrit. However, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) alone are inadequate for controlling UA and creatinine level, although the addition of folic acid may be beneficial in hypertensive patients who are known to have a high prevalence of elevated Hcy. We hypothesized that combination therapy with an ARB (olmesartan) and folic acid is a promising treatment for lowering the UA and creatinine level in hyperhomocysteinemia‐associated hypertension.

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