Behavioural, electrocorticographic, and electromyographic alterations induced by Nerium oleander ethanolic extract: Anticonvulsant therapeutics assessment

• Published in: Neurotoxicology (Park Forest South) 2020-05, Vol.78, p.21-28
• Main Authors: Silva de Melo, Bruna, de Morais, Brenda Pinto, de Souza Ferreira Sá, Vaniza Sheila, Lourinho, Filipe Dantas, Pinheiro Toda, Ingrid Perpétuo Socorro, do Nascimento, José Luíz Martins, Marques, Dienifer Negrão, da Silva, Márcia Cristina Freitas, Cardoso, Giuliana Thaissa Modesto, Luz Barbas, Luis André, Torres, Marcelo Ferreira, Muto, Nilton Akio, de Mello, Vanessa Joia, Hamoy, Moisés
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amplification; Amplitudes; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage; Attenuation; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Benzodiazepines; Biocompatibility; Brain - drug effects; Brain - physiopathology; Common oleander; Convulsions & seizures; Diazepam; EEG; Electroencephalogram; Electroencephalography; Electromyogram; Electromyography; Epilepsy; Evaluation; Excitability; Male; Masseter Muscle - drug effects; Masseter Muscle - physiopathology; Muscle contraction; Muscles; Muscular function; Nerium; Nerium oleander; Neurotoxicology; Ornamental plants; Phenobarbital; Phenytoin; Plant Extracts - toxicity; Plant Poisoning - physiopathology; Poisoning; Rats, Wistar; Scopolamine; Seizures; Seizures - prevention & control; Toxicity; Tracing; Wistar rats
• ISSN: 0161-813X; 1872-9711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.02.001

•This study characterizes the seizurogenic potential of Nerium oleander extract.•N. oleander extract induced myorelaxation followed by neuronal excitability.•Diazepam was the most effective drug to attenuate the extract-induced seizure. Nerium oleander Linn. is an Apocynaceae shrub which is among the most toxic ornamental plants. Although seizures are one of the symptoms associated with N. Oleander poisoning in humans, only a few studies are available on the behavioural and electrophysiological alterations caused by this plant poisoning. This study aimed at providing a thorough description of the electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) profiles throughout the experimental poisoning of Wistar rats (200–250 g) using ethanolic extract of N. oleander (EENO). Further, seizure control was assessed using different anticonvulsants. Male Wistar rat’s behaviour was assessed upon EENO (150 mg/kg) administration and the animals were evaluated for muscle and neural activities through EMG and EEG recordings, respectively. The behavioural test showed two distinct phases of CNS activity: Phase I – myorelaxation and depression, and Phase II – excitability (agitated behaviour and seizures). Such phases were consistent with the EEG and EMG tracing patterns attained. Within the first 400 s of the recordings, during Phase I, the EMG showed no tracing amplitude variation. Later, the tracing pattern was changed and an intensification of the muscle contraction power in higher frequencies was observed during Phase II. The EEG showed initially a slight flattening in the tracings with a reduction in the intensity of the signal as per spectrogram of frequency attained. Thereafter, during Phase II, much higher amplitude tracings could be noted with an intensification of the signal, compatible with seizures. Seizure control was evaluated using four agents: phenytoin, phenobarbital, diazepam and scopolamine (at 10 mg/kg in all cases). While scopolamine was not effective in the seizure control, diazepam was the most efficient drug for the attenuation of the poisoning. Our results indicate the possibility of including phenytoin, phenobarbital and diazepam, mainly the latter, in the poisoning therapeutic protocol, including for those individuals who could be more susceptible to the poisoning by Nerium oleander as in the case of epileptic patients.