Neurosci Res. 2010 Dec;68(4):337-44. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Activities of α-asarone in various animal seizure models and in biochemical assays might be essentially accounted for by antioxidant properties.

Pages N, Maurois P, Delplanque B, Bac P, Stables JP, Tamariz J, Chamorro G, Vamecq J.

Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Illkirch, France.

Abstract

Anticonvulsant properties of α-asarone were studied in mice at three doses with different toxicity. The 100mg/kg dose decreased both treadmill performance and locomotor activity, caused hypothermia, and potentiated pentobarbital-induced sleep. The last two effects and no toxicity were observed at 60 and 22mg/kg, respectively. In chemical (pentylenetetrazole, picrotoxin, N-methyl-D-aspartate, pilocarpine) and electrical (maximal electroshock) seizure tests, neither seizures nor death were prevented by 60 mg/kg α-asarone which, however, exhibited protective-like effects (delay in the onset of clonic and/or tonic seizures and/or in the death of mice). Magnesium deficiency-dependent audiogenic seizures responded to non-toxic doses of α-asarone (60 mg/kg and less): 22 mg/kg protecting 50% of tested animals. Because these seizures respond to both anti-seizure and antioxidant compounds, antioxidant properties of α-asarone were studied, indicating 5 Units of superoxide dismutase-like activity per mg α-asarone. Treatment of mice by α-asarone (daily dose of 100mg/kg during 7 days) induced brain antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase) in striatum and hippocampus and to a lesser extent in cortex. In view of recent findings about deleterious roles of chronic inflammatory/oxidant stresses in human epilepsy outcome, antioxidant and inductive properties of α-asarone are proposed to be coherent bases for traditional clinical efficacy.

PMID: 20833211