Antioxidant effect of buspirone in epilepsy model induced by pilocarpine

Background : Pilocarpine-induced seizures can cause pathological changes in many brain regions as a result of excessive production of free radicals. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of buspirone in the epilepsy model induced by pilocarpine. Material and methods: Forty-eight animals were divided into four groups. The first group was treated with saline 0.9% (control); the second group received pilocarpine 400 mg/kg (P400); the third group was treated with buspirone 5 mg/kg (BUSP) for 14 consecutive days and animals in the fourth group were treated with buspirone for 14 consecutive days, and 30 minutes after the last buspirone administration were administered with P400 (BUSP + P400). Results : No toxicity signs or death were observed in buspirone-treated animals. P400 group showed a significant increase in nitrite production and lipid peroxidation after seizures. Moreover, reduction in both the lipid peroxidation level (65%) and nitrite content (85%) as well as an increase in superoxide dismutase activity was detected following P400 injection in the hippocampus of buspirone-pretreated mice. Discussion : Pretreatment with BUSP increased latency to first seizure, decreased the mortality rate and number of animals that presented seizures and progression to status epilepticus, showing potent anticonvulsant effects associated with reduction of hippocampal oxidative stress.