Cunaniol-elicited seizures: Behavior characterization and electroencephalographic analyses

This study aimed at describing the characteristics and properties of seizures induced by cunaniol, a polyacetylenic alcohol isolated from the Clibadium genus, which is ubiquitous in the Amazon biodiversity and its potential use as a convulsant model. Wistar rat behavior was assessed upon cunaniol administration and animals were evaluated for neural activity through electroencephalographic records whereby epidural electrodes were positioned over the motor cortex under cunaniol-elicited seizures and seizure's control using three anticonvulsant agents, namely phenytoin, phenobarbital and diazepam. Cunaniol-induced seizures displayed a cyclic development of electrocorticographic seizures, presenting interictal-like spike and ictal period, which correlates to the behavioral observations and is in line with acute seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole. Cunaniol-elicited seizures were intractable by phenytoin treatment and controlled under the GABAergic activities of phenobarbital and diazepam. The results indicate that the cunaniol-induced changes show characteristics of seizure activity, making this plant compound a suitable animal convulsant model for seizure-related studies that could be used to assist in the development of novel anticonvulsant agents.