Anticonvulsive Effect of Paeoniflorin on Experimental Febrile Seizures in Immature Rats: Possible Application for Febrile Seizures in Children

Abstract

Febrile seizures (FS) is the most common convulsive disorder in children, but there have been no clinical and experimental studies of the possible treatment of FS with herbal medicines, which are widely used in Asian countries. Paeoniflorin (PF) is a major bioactive component of Radix Paeoniae alba, and PF-containing herbal medicines have been used for neuromuscular, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we analyzed the anticonvulsive effect of PF and Keishikashakuyaku-to (KS; a PF-containing herbal medicine) for hyperthermia-induced seizures in immature rats as a model of human FS. When immature (P5) male rats were administered PF or KS for 10 days, hyperthermia-induced seizures were significantly suppressed compared to control rats. In cultured hippocampal neurons, PF suppressed glutamate-induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), glutamate receptor-mediated membrane depolarization, and glutamate-induced neuronal death. In addition, PF partially suppressed the elevation in [Ca2+]i induced by activation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), but not that mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolpropionic acid (AMPA) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. However, PF did not affect production or release of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in hippocampal neurons. These results suggest that PF or PF-containing herbal medicines exert anticonvulsive effects at least in part by preventing mGluR5-dependent [Ca2+]i elevations. Thus, it could be a possible candidate for the treatment of FS in children.

Paeoniflorin attenuates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury via anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways

“…When blood flow is restored, the tissue retrieves oxygen, and this can activate the secretion of related humoral inflammatory mediators in the body due to the stimulation of apoptotic cells, including inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), ROS, lipid mediators and peptide media (7,10,34). Activation and release of inflammatory factors is also a key element of HI/R injury.…”

A proprietary herbal medicine (5‐Ling Granule) for Tourette syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

“…Furthermore, a large number of extractions and preparations from individual Ganoderma lucidum, Semen Ziziphi spinosae, schisandrae chinensis fructus, Gardeniae Fructus, and Rhizoma Gastrodia possess broad psychotherapeutic properties, including sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant‐ and antipsychotic‐like effects, through modulation of brain GABA, 5‐HT, glutamate and related receptor activities (Chu et al., ; Fang et al., ; Gao, Ji, Jiang, & Chen, ; Matsuzaki et al., ; Shin et al., ; Toriizuka et al., ; Wang et al., ; Zhang et al., ). Treatment with paeoniflorin and gastrodin, two well investigated compounds, respectively from Radix Paeoniae Alba and Rhizoma Gastrodia, suppresses neuroinflammation, seizures, and Parkinson's‐like behavior in animal models (An et al., ; Hino et al., ; Liu, Zhang, Luo, Ye, & Zhu, ; Liu et al., ). Taken together, this multitargeted antitic strategy may provide a novel therapeutic approach for tic disorders.…”

Paeoniflorin Promotes Non-rapid Eye Movement Sleep via Adenosine A1 Receptors

“…1) (Aimi et al, 1969) is one of the principal active ingredients of Paeonia Radix, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine derived from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Paeoniflorin exerts anticonvulsive effects on experimental febrile seizures (Hino et al, 2012). This observation suggests that PF might have a sleep-promoting effect.…”