Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin and its Derivatives in Epilepsy: Evidence from Preclinical Studies

GABAA Receptors Are Involved in the Seizure Blockage Prompted by a Polyphenol-Rich Extract of White Grape Juice in Rodents

Background/Objectives: Polyphenols have been suggested to possess anticonvulsant properties, which can be exploited as tools in novel strategies against epilepsy. Along that line, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a polyphenol-rich extract of white grape juice (WGJe) in different rodent models of epilepsy, exploring its putative mechanism of action. Methods: In this study, we employed pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-injected ICR-CD1 mice, audiogenic seizure (AGS)-susceptible DBA/2 mice and WAG/Rij rats. Seizures were monitored and scored, while absence was assessed by electroencephalogram. The open-field test was employed to assess the anxiolytic effects of WGJe. In order to assess the involvement of the GABAA receptor, we used the antagonist flumazenil in AGS-susceptible DBA/2 mice. Computational analyses were employed to evaluate the interaction of the main polyphenols of WGJe and GABAA receptors. Results: Our results showed that the intraperitoneal injection of WGJe hindered tonic seizures in PTZ-injected ICR-CD1 mice. In WAG/Rij rats, WGJe did not elicit any significant effects on spike-wave discharges compared to untreated rats. In AGS-susceptible DBA/2 mice, WGJe significantly hampered both clonic and tonic seizures, as well as induced anxiolytic effects. Interestingly, when administering WGJe with flumazenil to DBA/2 mice, we noted that the observed effects were mediated by the GABAA receptor. Moreover, docking simulations confirmed that the main polyphenols of WGJe are able to interact with the benzodiazepine sites located in both extracellular and transmembrane domains in the GABAA receptor. Conclusions: This study outlines the mechanism underlying the anti-epileptic activity of WGJe, thus supporting its potential role in the management of epilepsy.

The epidemiologic associations of food availability with national incidence and disability rates of idiopathic pediatric epilepsy

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of idiopathic pediatric epilepsy globally continues to be defined. To date there has been no evaluation of how national food availability may associate with the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost from this condition. Correspondingly, the aim of this study was to define if such associations exist.

METHODS

Incidence and DALY rates of pediatric patients with idiopathic epilepsy were abstracted by country from the Global Burden of Disease database. Data regarding food availability parameters were identified and abstracted from the Food Systems Dashboard database. Associations were tested using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

RESULTS

There were sufficient data in a total of 175 countries. Mean incidence rate and DALYs lost across these countries were 62.3 per 100,000 and 189.2 per 100,000 respectively. Across all countries, higher incidence rates of idiopathic pediatric epilepsy were statistically associated with lower supply of nuts and seeds (P = 0.04), and higher prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (P = 0.03). Similarly, higher DALYs lost due to idiopathic pediatric epilepsy were statistically associated with lower supply of fish (P = 0.03), higher supply of starchy roots (P = 0.03), and higher prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (P < 0.01). When categorizing countries based on income-status, there was a decrease and divergence in significant associations found between high income versus low-middle income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many possible novel associations between national food availability and the incidence rate and DALYs lost due to idiopathic pediatric epilepsy across the world, which may be more pronounced and divergent based on income.

Flavonoids: the use in mental health and related diseases

Given the current increase in mental and neurological disorders, there is an urgent need to develop alternative treatments for patients. Flavonoids exhibit diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective, and has been considered potential therapies for central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and stroke. Studies have shown that flavonoids protect neurons from oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, improve brain blood flow and enhance cognitive function. Moreover, its modulation of neurotransmission, such as GABAergic, dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and noradrenergic, has been studied for the treatment of mental disorders that require sedative effects, antidepressants, sleep inducers and anxiety reduction. Although more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential benefits of these compounds, the use of flavonoids for neurological diseases is a promising avenue for future research and development. This review focuses on major flavonoid subclasses and their applications in central nervous system disorders.

Development of Potential Therapeutic Agents from Black Elderberries (the Fruits of Sambucus nigra L.)

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) is a widespread deciduous shrub, of which the fruits (elderberries) are used in the food industry to produce different types of dietary supplement products. These berries have been found to show multiple bioactivities, including antidiabetic, anti-infective, antineoplastic, anti-obesity, and antioxidant activities. An elderberry extract product, Sambucol®, has also been used clinically for the treatment of viral respiratory infections. As the major components, phenolic compounds, such as simple phenolic acids, anthocyanins and other flavonoids, and tannins, show promising pharmacological effects that could account for the bioactivities observed for elderberries. Based on these components, salicylic acid and its acetate derivative, aspirin, have long been used for the treatment of different disorders. Dapagliflozin, an FDA-approved antidiabetic drug, has been developed based on the conclusions obtained from a structure-activity relationship study for a simple hydrolyzable tannin, β-pentagalloylglucoside (β-PGG). Thus, the present review focuses on the development of therapeutic agents from elderberries and their small-molecule secondary metabolites. It is hoped that this contribution will support future investigations on elderberries.

Mechanism of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Epilepsy and Related Therapeutic Agents

Epilepsy is one of the most widespread and complex diseases in the central nervous system (CNS), affecting approximately 65 million people globally, an important factor resulting in neurological disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and progressive cognitive dysfunction. Medication is the most essential treatment. The currently used drugs have shown drug resistance in some patients and only control symptoms; the development of novel and more efficacious pharmacotherapy is imminent. Increasing evidence suggests neuroinflammation is involved in the occurrence and development of epilepsy, and high expression of NLRP3 inflammasome has been observed in the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) brain tissue of patients and animal models. The inflammasome is a crucial cause of neuroinflammation by activating IL-1β and IL-18. Many preclinical studies have confirmed that regulating NLRP3 inflammasome pathway can prevent the development of epilepsy, reduce the severity of epilepsy, and play a neuroprotective role. Therefore, regulating NLRP3 inflammasome could be a potential target for epilepsy treatment. In summary, this review describes the priming and activation of inflammasome and its biological function in the progression of epilepsy. In addition, we reviewes the current pharmacological researches for epilepsy based on the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome, aiming to provide a basis and reference for developing novel antiepileptic drugs.

Development and application of mass spectrometric molecular networking for analyzing the ingredients of areca nut

Areca nut (Areca catechu L.) is commonly consumed as a chewing food in the Asian region. However, the investigations into the components of areca nut are limited. In this study, we have developed an approach that combines mass spectrometry with feature-based molecular network to explore the chemical characteristics of the areca nut. In comparison to the conventional method, this technique demonstrates a superior capability in annotating unknown compounds present in areca nut. We annotated a total of 52 compounds, including one potential previously unreported alkaloid, one carbohydrate, and one phenol and confirmed the presence of 7 of them by comparing with commercial standards. The validated method was used to evaluate chemical features of areca nut at different growth stages, annotating 25 compounds as potential biomarkers for distinguishing areca nut growth stages. Therefore, this approach offers a rapid and accurate method for the component analysis of areca nut.

Exploring the mechanisms of kaempferol in neuroprotection: Implications for neurological disorders

Kaempferol, a flavonoid compound found in various fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, has garnered increasing attention due to its potential neuroprotective effects in neurological diseases. This research examines the existing literature concerning the involvement of kaempferol in neurological diseases, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, neuroblastoma/glioblastoma, spinal cord injury, neuropathic pain, and epilepsy. Numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have illustrated that kaempferol possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties, contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Kaempferol has been shown to modulate key signaling pathways involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, such as the PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and NF-κB pathways. Moreover, kaempferol exhibits potential therapeutic benefits by enhancing neuronal survival, attenuating oxidative stress, enhancing mitochondrial calcium channel activity, reducing neuroinflammation, promoting neurogenesis, and improving cognitive function. The evidence suggests that kaempferol holds promise as a natural compound for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action, optimize dosage regimens, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of this intervention in human clinical trials, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge in this field.

A Comprehensive Review on Anti-Inflammatory Response of Flavonoids in Experimentally-Induced Epileptic Seizures

Flavonoids, a group of natural compounds with phenolic structure, are becoming popular as alternative medicines obtained from plants. These compounds are reported to have various pharmacological properties, including attenuation of inflammatory responses in multiple health issues. Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system implicated with the activation of the inflammatory cascade in the brain. The aim of the present study was to summarize the role of various neuroinflammatory mediators in the onset and progression of epilepsy, and, thereafter, to discuss the flavonoids and their classes, including their biological properties. Further, we highlighted the modulation of anti-inflammatory responses achieved by these substances in different forms of epilepsy, as evident from preclinical studies executed on multiple epilepsy models. Overall, the review summarizes the available evidence of the anti-inflammatory potential of various flavonoids in epilepsy.