Protective effects of Buxus hyrcana against memory impairment and oxidative stress in a pentylenetetrazole-kindled epileptic rat model

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is a chemical substance which is largely used for the induction of seizure and epilepsy in the animal model, and it can also, disrupts free radicals balance and cause oxidative stress in the body with a negative impact on memory and learning. In this study, the medicinal plant Buxus hyrcana, was used to evaluate its effect on oxidative stress and memory deficit caused by PTZ in the rats. Twenty-four rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups: control negative under treatment with PTZ (sub-threshold dose 35 mg/kg for one month), control positive under treatment with phenobarbital (PB-30 mg/kg), and two PTZ groups under treatment with B. hyrcana extract (BHE-300, and -600 mg/kg). Standard passive avoidance test was used to evaluate retention and recall (evaluation of memory and learning). After behavioral evaluation, rats were anesthetized, brains were removed, and following preparation of brain homogenates, oxidative stress was evaluated using specified methods. Step-through latency in passive avoidance test in the BHE receiving group was greater than PTZ group (p<0.001). In addition, brain lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) level in BHE-treated group was significantly lower (p<0.001) and the reduced glutathione (GSH) activity levels were significantly greater versus PTZ group (p<0.001). Our results showed that BHE could prevent memory deficit and ameliorate oxidative stress in the PTZ-kindled rats.