Baicalin Reduces Epileptic Seizures Through The High-mobility Group Box-1/NF-κB Pathway

Part one: the protein expression of HMGB1and NF-κB in epileptic ratmodelObjective: To investigate the protein levels of HMGB1and NF-κB inhippocampal homogenates of pilocarpine induced rat models. Methods:1.Adult male SD rats were used for these experiments and were randomly dividedinto control group and epileptic group. The epileptic group were injected withpilocarpine hydrochloride to induce the sustained seizures and killed at1d、3d、1w,2w，1m，2m following the onset of SE. Control rats (n=5) were treatedidentically but received normal saline (NS) instead of pilocarpine.2. Doubleimmunolabeling, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting study show thatexpression of HMGB1and NF-κB in rat model of epilepsy. Results:1. HMGB1expressed in epileptic rats: compared with control group, the expression ofHMGB1was up-regulation in the hippocampus at different time points afterkilling.2. Compared with control group, the expression of NF-κB wasup-regulation measured in nuclear extracts. Conclusion: HMGB1and NF-κBare significantly up-regulated after epilepsy; our results indicate that HMGB1and NF-κB may play a role in epilepsy. Part two: Baicalin’s influence on animal behavior and interferes with theprotein expression of HMGB1/NF-κB；Objective: To investigate whether baicalin alters seizure activity. Measurethe protein expression of HMGB1and NF-κB in both baicalin treatment groupand epileptic group. To study the underlying mechanisms of baicalin interferes with epilepsy rats. Methods:1. Adult male SD rats were used for theseexperiments and were randomly divided into baicalin treatment group andexperimental group. The experimental group administered saline withpilocarpine or kainic acid (n=30), and a baicalin treated group (n=54)administered both baicalin and pilocarpine or kainic acid. Baicalin (100mg/kgand200mg/kg) was dissolved in0.9%saline and administeredintraperitoneally30min before injection with pilocarpine.2. Doubleimmunolabeling, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting study show thatexpression of HMGB1and NF-κB in rat model of epilepsy. Results:1. Baicalinprolonged the latent period of seizures when compared with the experimentalrats. Level IV or V seizures occurred10–40min after the injection ofpilocarpine. However, the severity of the seizures was reduced during the60-min trial with baicalin treatment.2. baicalin injections down-regulated theexpression of HMGB13. baicalin injections down-regulated the expression ofNF-κB. Conclusion: Baicalin can reduce epileptic seizures and inhibitinflammation through the down-regulation of the activity and expression ofHMGB1and NF-κB. Baicalin intervention may be a potential supplement inthe prevention and treatment of epilepsy.