Anticonvulsant Effect of Artemisia capillaris Herba in Mice

Abstract

In the present study, the anticonvulsant effects of Artemisia capillaris Herba (AC) and its major constituent, esculetin (ECT), were tested and the mechanism studied. Locomotion, Myorelaxation, motor coordination and electroshock seizure experiment were conducted in mice. To identify the anticonvulsant mechanism effect of this drug, chemical-induced seizure in mice and the ionic movement in neuroblastoma cells were also observed. The ethanol extract of AC was orally administered to mice 30 min. prior to testing and ECT was intraperitoneally injected. AC and ECT treatment did not change locomotor activities as well as activities on the rota-rod, which indicates that they did not cause a sedative and myorelaxation effect. AC and ECT treatment increased threshold of convulsion induced by electroshock. AC treatment also inhibited convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole. In the case of strychnine however, only high dose of AC treatment inhibited convulsion. AC and ECT treatment increased the Cl − infl ux into the intracellular area in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, bicuculline, a GABA antagonist, inhibited the Cl − infl ux induced by AC and ECT. These results indicate that ECT induces the anticonvulsive effect of AC extract through the GABAergic neuron.

Medicinal compounds with antiepileptic/anticonvulsant activities

“…Today, there are still about 30–40% of all patients with epilepsy affected by intolerable toxicity, numerous adverse effects (such as sedation and myorelaxation), and seizure resistance to the current AEDs, which motivate researchers to develop novel approaches to treat epilepsy. Because some medicinal compounds reviewed herein, such as esculetin and wogonin, significantly decreased seizure response but did not cause sedative and myorelaxant effects, it is evident that medicinal plants have the potential to be a rich source for discovering safer and more effective antiepileptic reagents. Although there are insufficient data to support the clinical efficacy of these herbal components in patients with epilepsy—only some phytocannabinoids such as CBD and ∆ 9 ‐THC have individual case studies or have undergone a number of small‐scale human trials—the in vitro and in vivo experimental data reviewed herein could supply the basic science evidence for research and development of novel AEDs from medicinal plants.…”

“…Coumarins are a group of plant‐derived polyphenolic compounds and are made of fused benzene and α‐pyrone rings, many of which possess a wide range of pharmacologic and biochemical applications. Esculetin (6,7‐dihydroxy‐coumarin) could significantly decrease seizure response induced by electroshock, whereas it did not cause a sedative and myorelaxation effect, and it exerted anticonvulsant effect probably through the GABAergic neuron . Luszczki et al.…”

Protection Against Electroshock- and Pentylenetetrazol-induced Seizures by the Water Extract ofRehmannia glutinouscan be Mediated through GABA Receptor-chloride Channel Complexes

“…[7][8][9] Herbal products are preferred alternatives because they usually have fewer side effects than currently available anticonvulsants. For these reasons, our team is searching for herbal products that have anticonvulsive activities with fewer side effects.…”

Recent Studies and Progression of Yin Chen Hao (茵陳蒿 Yīn Chén Hāo), a Long-term Used Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…[13] The ethanol extract of AC (50–400 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice 30 min prior to testing and ECT (1–5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected. Locomotor activities and activities on the rota-rod did not change in treated group, suggesting no sedative and myorelaxation effect.…”