Kainic Acid Epilepsy Model in Wistar Rats: The Comparative Ameliorate Use of Bryophyllum pinnatum, Ketogenic Diet and Carbamazepine on the Frontal Lobe Cortex with Selected Behavioral Parameters

Introduction: Frontal lobe Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by brief, recurrent seizures which arise from the frontal lobes of the brain. Bryophyllum pinnatum, is a natural herb which has been known for its anticonvulsant potential in experimental animals. The ketogenic diet is a form of treatment for epilepsy in children created due to the observation that fasting had anti-seizure properties. This comparative study investigated the potential ameliorative use of Bryophyllum pinnatum, Ketogenic diet and Carbamazepine, on the frontal lobe cortex in kainic acid induced epilepsy wistar rat models.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight (n=28) adult male Wistar rats with an average weight of 150g were randomly distributed into five groups labelled A, B, C, D & E. Group A served as control; group B was treated with kainic acid only, group C was treated with Kainic acid + Bryophyllum pinnatum, group D was treated with Kainic acid + ketogenic diet and group E was treated with Kainic acid + carbamazepine. Rats were sacrificed after 29 days treatment period and their brains excised. The precentral cortices were cut and phosphate buffer preserved for enzymes and hormonal assay and the rest brain samples were stored in formal saline for histological demonstrations. Neurobehavioral studies which included Elevated Plus Maze and Barnes Maze tests were carried out before the rats were sacrificed.

Results: Kainic acid caused extensive damage to cortical structures. Bryophyllum pinnatum stimulated regeneration of damaged cells and restoration of myelination and cellular integrity.

Discussion: Although, there was extensive damage done by kainic acid to the cortical structures in group B, group C, group D and group E, Bryophyllum pinnatum stimulated the restoration of neurotransmission and massive production of astrocytes which aided in neuronal regeneration.