Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity of 4,5-di-O-[E]-caffeoylquinic acid isolated from the extracts of Lychnophora plants (Asteraceae; Asterales)

• Grant number: 08/06360-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2008
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmacognosy
• Principal researcher: Wagner Ferreira dos Santos
• Grantee: Juliana Alves Piccoli
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the past years, several studies have focused on plants of traditional folk medicine used in treatment of neurological disorders, in order to isolate and characterize bioactive substances, among which are the natural antioxidants. In this regard, previous studies have described a potent antiinflammatory effect of chlorogenic acids commonly found in Asteraceae plants in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Due to the strong correlation between neurodegeneration and oxidative stress, these substances could be candidates to novel neuroprotective agents, and therefore function as adjunctive therapy in the prevention of neurologic damage commonly reported after isquemic events, brain trauma and convulsive status epilepticus (SE). In the light of these facts, the aim of this work is to evaluate the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity of the 4,5-di-O-[E]-caffeoylquinic acid, isolated from the extract of L. ericoides plants in the pilocarpine induced SE. Thus, male Wistar rats will receive a single pilocarpine injection (2,4mg/uL) in the lateral ventricle in order to induce a long lasting self-sustained generalized tonic clonic seizure - SE - which leads to the death of neurons of the limbic system, including the hippocampus. Electroencephalogram and behavioral alterations will be registered before the SE (basal activity), during the SE (three hours), after the interruption of SE by the administration of thiopental and after the administration of 4,5-di-O-[E]-caffeoylquinic acid. After 72 hours from the onset of SE, rats will be killed in order to perform qualitative and quantitative histopatologic analysis.