The anticonvulsant effects of Ducrosia anethifolia (Boiss) essential oil are produced by its main component alpha-pinene in rats

Abstract

Ducrosia anethifolia has been recommended as a remedy for neurological disorders. However, the anticonvulsant effects of D. anethifolia essential oil (DAEO) and its major constituent α-pinene have not yet been clarified. Methods: A rat model of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions was used. Oxidant and antioxidant parameters were assayed in the temporal lobe. Results: The data showed that DAEO (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and α-pinene (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg i.p.) delayed the initiation time, and reduced the duration of myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures following PTZ injection. The PTZ produced oxidative stress so that malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels were increased and catalase and peroxidase activity decreased. Pretreatment with DAEO and α-pinene significantly inhibited the above-mentioned enzymatic changes in PTZ-treated animals. Conclusion: The results suggest that α-pinene, at teast in part, was responsible for the induction of the anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of DAEO in rats.

Identification of Polyphenols from Coniferous Shoots as Natural Antioxidants and Antimicrobial Compounds

“…Alpha- and beta-pinene may serve as precursors of aromatic compounds in food production, they are also components of renal and hepatic drugs [ 9 ]. In rodent studies, alpha-pinene showed, inter alia, gastroprotective, analgesic and anti-convulsive properties; it has also exerted therapeutic effects in some cancers and allergies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Compounds present in conifers also show antioxidant and reducing effects [ 14 ].…”

Terpenoids, Cannabimimetic Ligands, beyond the Cannabis Plant

“…A study has reported that rats exposed to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions submitted to α-pinene intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration presented both initiation time delayed and reduced duration of myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures, following PTZ injection [81]. Another study suggested that α-pinene appears to be devoid of anticonvulsant action, since only β-pinene affected the intensity of seizures and time of death of PTZ-treated mice [80].…”

“…Corroborating, when rats were submitted to an abdominal writhing model and treated only with terpenoids they demonstrated increased abdominal writhing, while the animals treated with THC showed robust analgesia, even better than the rats that received the Cannabis full extract. In this case, Cannabis antinociceptive property was linked to ∆9-THC, since terpenes alone do not alter the nociceptive behavior [81]. Using a different approach, Nandal and co-authors exposed cancerous cell lines to treatment with phytocannabinoids combined with low concentrations of co-related terpenoids.…”

“…In this context, Yang and colleagues demonstrated that α-pinene interacts with GABA A /benzodiazepine receptors prolonging its synaptic transmission, significantly increasing the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS), and reducing sleep latency [151]. The beneficial effects of α-pinene are also extended to convulsions [80,81], ischemic stroke [82], and schizophrenia [156]. Besides, α-pinene also showed neuroprotective effects that might be related to its antioxidant properties, which include being able to decrease malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels while increasing catalase and peroxidase activity.…”

Cannabis, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine: Cannabinoids’ Role in Public Health, Food Safety, and Translational Medicine

“…Terpenes exert diverse medicinal effects. 55, [63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] Terpenoids are also flavor and fragrance components common to human and pet diets and are considered by the US FDA to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The use of terpenoids in food-producing animal feed is being researched due to biotechnological effects on food quality and safety as well as for performance enhancement such as weight gain; feed conversion rate; nutrient absorption; gutlining morphology; relief of intestinal immune defense in gut-associated lymphoid tissue due to antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal properties; intestinal microbiota health; meat lipid oxidation; milk composition; malodors and off-flavor in aquaculture; and palatability of feed.…”