stilbenes and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases affecting the nervous system, with more than 50 million patients suffering from epilepsy worldwide. Although epilepsy has been prevalent for thousands of years, it is still not possible to completely control the disease. Despite an increase in the number of available antiepileptic drugs, the incidence of epilepsy and its cure rate have not been substantially improved; thus, there is an urgent need to identify new drugs that treat, cure or protect against epilepsy. Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound with a broad range of biological activity; not only it has considerable antiepileptic effects, but it is also neuroprotective and has functions to counter epileptic depression. Resveratrol has the potential to be a new antiepileptic drug, thus further studies are needed to better investigate its potential.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Epilepsy; Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Resveratrol; Stilbenes

Resveratrol has been extensively investigated and has been demonstrated to have antioxidant properties, cancer chemopreventive activity, and the capacity to modulate the hepatic synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol, among others well established actions. A noteworthy feature of resveratrol is its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and to exhibit neuroprotective actions, mainly by their capacity to regulate redox pathways as well as the Sirtuin (SIRT) system, which in turn modulates gene transcription, controlling inflammation and apoptosis in the brain. Lately, evidence is accumulating with respect to the synergic effect of resveratrol with antiepileptic drugs and also its antiepileptic activity in various models of seizures. We discuss here recent evidence that strongly suggests that resveratrol acts as an anticonvulsant agent and could be a very effective method for reducing damage in neural tissue and even for preventing seizure development in coadjuvant antiepileptic therapy.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Antioxidants; Disease Models, Animal; Epilepsy; Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Resveratrol; Stilbenes

Resveratrol (RESV; 3,5,4'-tri-hydroxy stilbene), a naturally occurring phytoalexin, is found at a high concentration in the skin of red grapes and red wine. RESV mediates a wide-range of biological activities, which comprise an increased life span, anti-ischemic, anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies in several animal prototypes of brain injury suggest that RESV is an effective neuroprotective compound. Ability to enter the brain after a peripheral administration and no adverse effects on the brain or body are other features that are appealing for using this compound as a therapy for brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of this review is to discuss the promise of RESV for treating acute seizures, preventing the acute seizure or status epilepticus induced development of chronic epilepsy, and easing the chronic epilepsy typified by spontaneous recurrent seizures and cognitive dysfunction. First, the various beneficial effects of RESV on the normal brain are discussed to provide a rationale for considering RESV treatment in the management of acute seizures and epilepsy. Next, the detrimental effects of acute seizures or status epilepticus on the hippocampus and the implications of post-status epilepticus changes in the hippocampus towards the occurrence of chronic epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction are summarized. The final segment evaluates studies that have used RESV as a neuroprotective compound against seizures, and proposes studies that are critically needed prior to the clinical application of RESV as a prophylaxis against the development of chronic epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction after an episode of status epilepticus or head injury.

Topics: Animals; Epilepsy; Hippocampus; Humans; Resveratrol; Seizures; Status Epilepticus; Stilbenes

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anticonvulsants; Azepines; Child; Epilepsy; Humans; Imines; Psychopharmacology; Stilbenes; Time Factors; Trigeminal Neuralgia

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder which affects 50 million people worldwide. Patients with epilepsy may present cognitive deficits and psychological impairment. Currently, 30% of patients fail to respond to any available antiseizure drug, and a significant number of patients do not well tolerate the offered treatments. Then, it is necessary to find out alternatives for controlling epileptic seizures. Studies have shown that despite its neuroprotective effects, resveratrol shows poor anticonvulsant properties. Resveratrol analog, piceatannol, possesses higher biological activity than resveratrol and could be an alternative to control seizure. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of resveratrol and piceatannol in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Only the experimental positive control (diazepam) showed anticonvulsant effect in this study. In addition, no behavioral changes were observed 24 h after seizure occurrence. Finally, the expression of genes related to neuronal activity (c-fos), neurogenesis (p70S6Ka and p70S6Kb), inflammatory response (interleukin 1β), and cell apoptosis (caspase-3) did not change by pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. Therefore, we failed to observe any anticonvulsant and neuroprotective potential of resveratrol and piceatannol in adult zebrafish. However, resveratrol and piceatannol benefits in epilepsy are not discharged, and more studies are necessary.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Caspase 3; Diazepam; Epilepsy; Interleukin-1beta; Neuroprotective Agents; Pentylenetetrazole; Resveratrol; Seizures; Stilbenes; Zebrafish

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-stilbenetriol), a natural polyphenol produced by various plants, has attracted attention over the past decade because of its multiple beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and chemopreventive, yet, there is limited information about its antiepileptic effects. Moreover, its poor solubility in water and low bioavailability are the challenging issues. In the present study, we aimed to investigate effects of free resveratrol and resveratrol delivered in amphipathic liposomal delivery system, which has a high blood-brain barrier crossing potential, on penicillin-induced epileptic seizure model. For this purpose, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as saline (Control), liposome (LIP), free resveratrol (RES) and resveratrol+liposome (RES+LIP). Penicillin-induced epileptic activity was recorded for 120 min by electrocorticography. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were performed in brain tissues collected. Our results showed that RES+LIP was the most effective anticonvulsant treatment on penicillin-induced epileptic seizures when compared to control, as RES+LIP immediately decreased the number of spikes per minute. GST and SOD activity, as well as the GSH levels, were significantly increased in the RES+LIP group as compared with the control group. Also, the MDA levels were significantly higher in the RES+LIP compared to RES and control groups. In conclusion, RES+LIP treatment was more effective on the decrease in spike frequency and spike amplitudes than other treatments. Our results suggest that the RES+LIP is more effective than RES on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Antioxidants; Brain; Drug Carriers; Electrocorticography; Epilepsy; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase; Liposomes; Male; Malondialdehyde; Penicillins; Random Allocation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Resveratrol; Stilbenes; Superoxide Dismutase

Topics: Acetates; Adult; Ambulatory Care; Anticonvulsants; Barbiturates; Benzazepines; Child; Child, Preschool; Epilepsy; Humans; Hydantoins; Infant; Oxyphenbutazone; Stilbenes; Succinimides; Sulfonamides; Tranquilizing Agents

Topics: Acetazolamide; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Amitriptyline; Anticonvulsants; Chlordiazepoxide; Dichlorphenamide; Epilepsy; Hydantoins; Stilbenes; Sulfones