Effect Of Saikosaponins On Electroenciphalogram, Neuro-transmitter, And The Expression Of C-fos In Hippocampus In The Epileptic Rat

Epilepsy is a common disease in nervous system,which has been studied extensively in the world for many years. But the treatment effect of it is still unsatisfactory. Treatment by Chinese Herbal Medicine is a promising way to cure epilepsy. Based on recent research,we studied the mechanism of treating epileptic by Saikosaponins and proposed a theory to instruct the treatment of epilepsy via Saikosaponins in clinic.Methods:eight-week-old healthy SD rats(weight:212+13.55g),were separated into six groups randomly:Normal control group (A),Epileptic pattern group(B),Saikosaponins pretreatment group(C),Lamotrigine control group(D),Small-dose Saikosaponins group(E),and large-dose Saikosaponins group(F). Each of experiment groups is composed of ten rats and rats in the latter five group were caused to have epilepsy by PNC method. EEQthe Glu and GABA of brain stem,and the expression of c-fos in Hippocampus were detected after the rates have been epileptic and were treated. Results:1. All epileptic rats had epileptic attacks in a higher or lower degree,proving that the success rate of the method causing rats to have epilepsy is 100%. In group B,the EEG records contains obvious epileptic electric discharge,while there is no existence in group A. The expression of c-fos in Hippocampus in group B is positive,while negative in group A. In the latter five group,the concentration of Glu hrlu'gh and the concentration of GABA is low notably in comparison with group A (P<0.001). 2. After treatment by Saikosaponins and Lamotrignie,the ECG records of group D and F turns to be normal. The expression of c-fos in Hippocampus is negative. The concentration of Glu and GABA becomes normal(P>0.05,comparing with the result of group A). 3. After treatment,the ECG records of group C becomes normal;the ECG records of group E still contain epileptic electric discharge in a low degree. The expression of c-fos in Hippocampus were inferior positive in group C and E. The concentration of Glu and GABAbecome normal(in comparison with group A:P>0.05). 4. After treatment,rats in group D has some side effects,such as the dry and yellow hairs,shedding hairs,local maculae on skins,which do not appear in group C,E and F. Conclusions:1. The method which cause rats to have epileptic by PNC method is tested to be uncomplicated and effective. And its success rate is high. The electric discharge by the epileptic is continuous and stable. 2. In curative effect,Saikosaponins and Lamotrignie have the curative effect in the same degree. But Lamotrignie cause side-effect in the obvious degree while Saikosaponins do not cause noticeable side-effect. 4.There exists a certain dose-effect relationship between Saikosaponins and curative effect. In the experiment,it shows that higher the dose of Saikosaponins is,more obvious the curative effect is. It is suggested that the dose of antiepilepsy Chinese Thorowax to an adult is 60 gram/day. 5. It is proposed that the antiepilepsy mechanism by Saikosaponins has convinced association with adjustment of Na+ channel in the tested body after injecting the Saikosaponins.