Rosa moschata leaf extract mitigates seizures, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter imbalance in pentylenetetrazol-induced mice
Main Article Content
Keywords
dopamine; epilepsy; noradrenaline; oxidative stress biomarkers; serotonin
Abstract
The crippling neurological state, known as epilepsy, is typified by frequent spontaneous seizures and linked to oxidative stress-driven neuronal dysfunction; it presents a significant global health challenge. This study investigates the traditional neuroprotective claims for Rosa moschata by rigorously evaluating the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant potential of its ethanolic leaf extract in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 35 mg/kg)-induced kindling epilepsy model of mice. Oral administration of Rosa moschata leaf extract (RMLE) at different doses (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) for 3 weeks beside PTZ challenge demonstrated significant, dose-dependent protection. RMLE markedly improved neurobehavioral outcomes, enhancing performance in various behavioral tests, indicating improved cognition, reduced anxiety, and better motor coordination. Crucially, RMLE restored critical neurotransmitter balance, significantly elevating brain levels of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, but suppressing acetylcholinesterase performance. The extract exhibited potent antioxidant efficacy, substantially increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels, while effectively decreasing malondialdehyde and nitrite concentrations, thereby countering PTZ-induced oxidative stress. Histopathological examination of the brain revealed a compelling dose-dependent reduction in neurofibrillary tangles and plaques. Comprehensive safety assessment through liver and kidney function tests (LFT and RFT), complete blood count, and histopathology of the brain, heart, liver, and kidney confirmed no significant adverse effects, highlighting a favorable safety profile. These findings provide robust experimental validation: RMLE possesses significant anti-convulsant activity mediated through multi-faceted mechanisms, including neurotransmitter modulation, potent antioxidant action, mitigation of neuronal pathology, and absence of detectable toxicity, thereby strongly supporting its traditional use and identifying it as a promising candidate for epilepsy management.
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Ana Sanches Silva, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, Coimbra, Portugal
Ana Sanches-Silva obtained the degree in Pharmacy by the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and the European Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Spain, with honours. In addition, she was awarded with two awards for best Ph.D., one from USC and another from Galician Institute of Consume. After the Ph.D. conclusion, she was fellowship of an European project and then she started a post-doctoral research contract at the Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science department of USC. In July 2006 she initiates a FCT post-doctoral fellowship at USC and in July 2007 she joins the Department of Food and Nutrition of the National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) with the same grant. From May 2008 to April 2013 she was a researcher at INSA under the frame of FCT Program Science 2007. From July 2013 to April 2017 she was an invited researcher at INSA. In May 1st 2017 she integrates the National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, I.P.) as a staff researcher.
In September 1st 2023 she integrates the Pharmacy Faculty of the University of Coimbra as Professor of the Food Science Laboratory.
Ana Sanches-Silva research focuses on the evaluation of safety and composition of food and food packaging, development and validation of analytical methodologies for the analysis of food components and food contaminants (namely pesticides residues and mycotoxins), development of novel packaging, namely active packaging, bio and nano packaging, and study of food-packaging interactions, especially the migration from packaging to food.