Baldeep Kumar1,2, Bikash Medhi3, Manish Modi4, Biman Saikia5, Savita Verma Attri6, Ajay Patial6. 1. Department of Pharmacology, Research Block-B, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. 2. Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160012, India. 3. Department of Pharmacology, Research Block-B, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. drbikashus@yahoo.com. 4. Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India. 5. Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India. 6. Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Epilepsy, a disease of the brain, is one of the most common serious neurological conditions. It is associated with a group of processes which alter energy metabolism, interrupt cellular ionic homeostasis, cause receptor dysfunction, activate inflammatory cascade, alter neurotransmitter uptake and result in neuronal damage. The increasing knowledge and understanding about the basis of neuronal changes in epilepsy lead to investigate the mechanistic pathway of neuroprotective agents in epilepsy. With this background, the present study is designed to reveal the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective potential of zonisamide in epilepsy. METHODS: Seizure-induced neuronal damage was produced by maximal electroshock seizures in animals. The oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory and apoptotic markers were assessed in the brain tissue of animals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The present findings revealed that zonisamide treatment prevented the development of seizures in animals. Seizures-induced free radicals production and neuroinflammation were markedly ameliorated by zonisamide administration. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the mechanisms behind the strong neuroprotective potential of zonisamide against seizures by attenuating the oxidative stress, inflammatory cascade and neuronal death associated with progression of seizures. It can be further developed as a neuroprotective agent for epilepsy and other neurodegenerative disorders.
BACKGROUND:Epilepsy, a disease of the brain, is one of the most common serious neurological conditions. It is associated with a group of processes which alter energy metabolism, interrupt cellular ionic homeostasis, cause receptor dysfunction, activate inflammatory cascade, alter neurotransmitter uptake and result in neuronal damage. The increasing knowledge and understanding about the basis of neuronal changes in epilepsy lead to investigate the mechanistic pathway of neuroprotective agents in epilepsy. With this background, the present study is designed to reveal the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective potential of zonisamide in epilepsy. METHODS:Seizure-induced neuronal damage was produced by maximal electroshock seizures in animals. The oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory and apoptotic markers were assessed in the brain tissue of animals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The present findings revealed that zonisamide treatment prevented the development of seizures in animals. Seizures-induced free radicals production and neuroinflammation were markedly ameliorated by zonisamide administration. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the mechanisms behind the strong neuroprotective potential of zonisamide against seizures by attenuating the oxidative stress, inflammatory cascade and neuronal death associated with progression of seizures. It can be further developed as a neuroprotective agent for epilepsy and other neurodegenerative disorders.