The protective role of pomegranate juice with and without valproic acid on epileptic rats

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the greatest common neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures.The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate juice with and without valproic acid on epileptic rats. Pomegranate juice (PJ) used in popular folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases due to its antioxidants content. Valproic acid (VPA) is a wellestablished anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of many forms of generalized epilepsy and psychiatric disorders to control epileptic seizures. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) is a central nervous system convulsant which induce seizures and used as a routine test for screening of anticonvulsants.In the present study 35 rats were divided into 7 groups: control group, PTZ group, PJ group, VPA group, VPA+PTZ group, PJ+PTZ group, and PJ+VPA+PTZ group. Groups treated with pomegranate juice received daily oral doses of 10 µL/g of body weight for 28 days. Groups treated with valproic acid received daily intraperitoneal (IP) doses of 500 mg/kg body weight for 14 days.At the last day of the experiment groups treated with PTZ were injected with a single IP dose of PTZ (60 mg/kg B.W), while other groups without PTZ received the same dose of sterile isotonic saline solution. After 30 minutes animals were decapitated. Injection of rats with PTZ or VPA resulted in significant increase in liver functions and lipid profile except HDL-c. Results showed significant decrease in antioxidants while treatment with pomegranate juice showed significant decrease in liver functions and lipid profile and significant increase in antioxidants.