Intranasal pitavastatin attenuates seizures in different experimental models of epilepsy in mice

- Intranasal pitavastatin increases latency to myoclonic jerks and generalized seizures.
- Intranasal pitavastatin increases seizure threshold current in ICES.
- Intranasal pitavastatin showed effective protection against status epilepticus.
- Intranasal pitavastatin did not cause cognitive impairment.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of intranasal pitavastatin (PVS) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, increasing current electroshock (ICES) seizures, and status epilepticus in mice. Intranasal PVS, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, showed significant increase in latency to PTZ-induced seizures and ICES seizure threshold compared to control; however, the effects were dose-dependent and were more significant at higher dose. Further, intranasal PVS (1.0 mg/kg) but not intravenous PVS (50.0 mg/kg) showed effective protection against PTZ-induced status epilepticus. No impairment in cognitive functions was observed following intranasal PVS (1.0 mg/kg), thus making it a prospective therapeutic approach for acute seizures and status epilepticus.