Tetrapleura tetraptera Fruit Extracts Ameliorate Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures as well as Ensuing Cognitive Deficit and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Kindling is an experimental-induced seizure consistent with epilepsy disease, a chronic neurological disorder characterised by spontaneous and repeated seizures. This disease is associated with oxidative stress, and most therapeutic strategies against epilepsy aim at improving the antioxidant defence mechanism in the brain. However, prolonged usage and associated adverse side effects limit antiepileptics, warranting natural antioxidant patronage. The present study investigated the behavioural and antioxidant actions of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extracts (TT) against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindling rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (150–180 g) were assigned into five groups (1–5, n = 5): Control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg body weight, b.w.), PTZ-only (40 mg/kg/b.w. i.p.), and groups 3–5 administered PTZ (40 mg/kg/b.w. i.p.) after, respectively, receiving oral TT (500 mg/kg/b.w.), TT flavonoid (fTT, 50 mg/kg/b.w.), and sodium valproate (SV, 15 mg/kg/b.w.). All administrations were carried out 48 hourly for 21 days. In the end, buried food, novel object recognition (NOR), Y-maze, elevated plus maze (EPM), and beam walk tests were done, and the rats were sacrificed. Whole brains were processed for antioxidant assays. The results showed a high (p < 0.05) seizure score and buried food test latency, preference for the familiar object in the NOR test, aversion to open-arm and reduced grooming in the EPM, reduced beam walk latency, elevated brain malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the PTZ group. The TT, fTT, and SV suppressed seizure, decreased buried food latency, `preference for the novel object and open-arm, increased grooming, decreased brain MDA, and elevated SOD. In conclusion, TT extracts protected against PTZ-induced cognitive deficits and brain oxidative stress, with results similar to those of the standard anticonvulsant drug, SV.