1. Anticonvulsant properties of Euterpe oleracea in mice.
- Author
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Souza-Monteiro JR, Hamoy M, Santana-Coelho D, Arrifano GP, Paraense RS, Costa-Malaquias A, Mendonça JR, da Silva RF, Monteiro WS, Rogez H, de Oliveira DL, do Nascimento JL, and Crespo-López ME
- Subjects
- Animals, Brain drug effects, Brain physiopathology, Disease Models, Animal, Male, Mice, Oxidative Stress drug effects, Plant Extracts pharmacology, Anticonvulsants pharmacology, Antioxidants pharmacology, Euterpe metabolism, Pentylenetetrazole pharmacology, Seizures drug therapy
- Abstract
Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a highly consumed fruit in Amazon, is from a common palm with remarkable antioxidant properties. Because oxidative stress and seizures are intimately linked, this study investigated the potential neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of commercial clarified açai juice (EO). EO did not alter spontaneous locomotor activity. Four doses of EO were sufficient to increase latencies to both first myoclonic jerk and first generalized tonic-clonic seizure and significantly decrease the total duration of tonic-clonic seizures caused by pentylenetetrazol administration. Also, electrocortical alterations provoked by pentylenetetrazol were prevented, significantly decreasing amplitude of discharges and frequencies above 50 Hz. EO was also able to completely prevent lipid peroxidation in the cerebral cortex, showing a potent direct scavenging property. These results demonstrate for the first time that E. oleracea significantly protects against seizures and seizure-related oxidative stress, indicating an additional protection for humans who consume this fruit., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2015
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