Anticonvulsant and Neuroprotective Effects of Felodipine in a PTZ-Induced Epileptic Seizure Model

Abstract

Aim: This research sought to evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of Felodipine in a rat model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, with a particular focus on its modulatory effects on neuroinflammatory responses and oxidative stress biomarkers. Material and Method: The entirety of 48 male Wistar rats were separated into two main groups for behavioral and electrophysiological assessments. The anticonvulsant properties of Felodipine at dosages of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg were evaluated according to seizure severity, using Racine’s Convulsion Scale and the latency to the First Myoclonic Jerk (FMJ). Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were analyzed to measure epileptiform activity by assessing the proportion of spike-wave discharges. Neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress markers, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were quantified in brain tissue using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) tests, respectively. A p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: Felodipine significantly decreased seizure intensity and prolonged FMJ start time relative to the PTZ and saline-treated cohorts (p<0.05). EEG recordings revealed a marked decrease in spike percentages in the Felodipine-treated groups. Furthermore, biochemical analyses demonstrated that Felodipine significantly reduced TNF-a and MDA levels, indicating its neuroprotective effects by mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusion: The PTZ-induced seizure model showed that felodipine significantly reduced seizure activity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, indicating robust anticonvulsant and neuroprotective benefits. Its favorable safety profile and dual-action mechanism targeting calcium channels and inflammatory pathways position it as a promising candidate for epilepsy management. Further studies are warranted to explore its long-term efficacy and potential in chronic epilepsy models.