posted on 2024-01-25, 12:36authored byNastaran Moussavi, Wietske van der Ent, Drissa Diallo, Rokia Sanogo, Karl E. Malterud, Camila V. Esguerra, Helle Wangensteen
Plants used in traditional
medicine in the management of epilepsy
could potentially yield novel drug compounds with antiepileptic properties.
The medicinal plant Securidaca longepedunculata is widely used in traditional medicine in the African continent,
and epilepsy is among several indications. Limited knowledge is available
on its toxicity and medicinal effects, such as anticonvulsant activities.
This study explores the potential in vivo inhibition of seizure-like
paroxysms and toxicity effects of dichloromethane (DCM) and ethanol
(EtOH) extracts, as well as isolated xanthones and benzoates of S. longepedunculata. Ten phenolic compounds were
isolated from the DCM extract. All of the substances were identified
by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Assays for toxicity and
inhibition of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure-like paroxysms
were performed in zebrafish larvae. Among the compounds assessed in
the assay for maximum tolerated concentration (MTC), benzyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-benzoate
(MTC 12.5 μM), 4,8-dihydroxy-1,2,3,5,6-pentamethoxyxanthone
(MTC 25 μM), and 1,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxyxanthone (MTC 6.25 μM)
were the most toxic. The DCM extract, 1,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxyxanthone
and 2-hydroxy-1,7-dimethoxyxanthone displayed the most significant
inhibition of paroxysms by altering the locomotor behavior in GABAA receptor antagonist, PTZ, which induced seizures in larval
zebrafish. The EtOH extract, benzyl benzoate, and benzyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-benzoate
unexpectedly increased locomotor activity in treated larval zebrafish
and decreased locomotor activity in nontreated larval zebrafish, seemingly
due to paradoxical excitation. The results reveal promising medicinal
activities of this plant, contributing to our understanding of its
use as an antiepileptic drug. It also shows us the presence of potentially
new lead compounds for future drug development.