Bavachinin attenuates pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in adult male mice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v5i5.1627Abstract
Background: Epileptic seizures affect approximately 10% of the global population and are associated with morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Despite the availability of antiepileptic drugs, a lot of patients remain resistant to current treatments. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are important contributors to seizure pathophysiology. Bavachinin is a flavonoid derived from Psoralea corylifolia, which has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant potential of bavachinin in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in mice, emphasizing its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Methods: Twenty-eight male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, bavachinin alone (200 mg/kg, PO), PTZ alone (400 mg/kg, IP), and bavachinin + PTZ. Seizure latency was recorded. Moreover, hippocampal tissues were examined for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration using biochemical and ELISA techniques.
Results: Bavachinin significantly delayed the onset of PTZ-induced seizures and prevented progression to the most severe stage (stage 5). PTZ-induced seizures elevated MDA and TNF-α levels while reducing SOD activity in the hippocampus. Bavachinin pretreatment markedly reduced MDA and TNF-α levels and restored SOD activity, indicating potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Novelty of the Study: This study addresses the gap in epilepsy treatment regarding the lack of a natural compound with therapeutic potential. This study evaluates the anticonvulsant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of bavachinin in a PTZ-induced seizure model in mice. By demonstrating that bavachinin not only delays seizure onset but also significantly modulates oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α), this work introduces a novel, plant-derived compound with anticonvulsant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Conclusions: Bavachinin represents anticonvulsant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in PTZ-induced seizures in mice. It is advised that its mechanics and clinical use be further investigated.
Keywords: Bavachinin, seizure, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, malondialdehyde (MDA).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 FFS/Functional Food Science

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Any manuscripts or substantial parts of it, submitted to the journal must not be under consideration by or previously published in any other journal or citable form. Authors are required to ensure that no material submitted as part of a manuscript infringes existing copyrights or the rights of a third party. In submitting one's article in any form, the author has assigned the FFC publishing rights and has agreed to an automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher. This is so that the FFC may create print option journals, for example, at the FFC’s discretion. If the author wishes to distribute their works by means outside of the FFC, for example within their community, they will have to place a request.
Correspondence concerning articles published in Functional Foods in Health and Disease is encouraged. While derivative works (adaptations, extensions on the current work, etc.) are allowed, distribution of the modified material is not allowed without permission from the FFC.