Effect of Quercetin against MES and PTZ-Induced Convulsions in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Besides its anti-oxidative effect, quercetin has shown to exert wide range of pharmacological effects. However, there is no experimental study on antiepileptic potential of quercetin. Hence, in the current study, the possible antiepileptic effect of quercetin has been evaluated against maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and PTZ-induced convulsions. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are induced by applying current (150 mA, 0.2 s) through corneal electrodes using electroconvulsiometer. Absence seizures were induced by a single dose administration of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ); 50 mg/kg, i.p.). Neurotoxic effects were assessed by measuring locomotor activity and rotarod performance. Both single dose and one week pre-treatment with quercetin (25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter hindlimb extension phase, and flexion/extensor ratio in MES model. However, one week, but not single dose administration of quercetin (25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly altered the latency to first myoclonic jerks and onset and duration of tonic generalized extensor and generalized clonic seizures in PTZ model, without producing neurotoxic effects. Thus, it may be concluded that one week treatment, but not single dose pre-treatment with quercetin produced antiepileptic effect selectively against PTZ convulsion in rats.

Keywords: Diazepam, MES, pentylenetetrazole, phenytoin, quercetin