Repositioning pinacidil and its anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties in murine models.

Epilepsy, frequently comorbid with anxiety, is a prevalent neurological disorder. Available drugs often have side effects that hinder adherence, creating a need for new treatments. Potassium channel activators have emerged as promising candidates for treating both epilepsy and anxiety.

Neuroprotective effects and improvement of learning and memory elicited by erythravine and 11α-hydroxy-erythravine against the pilocarpine model of epilepsy.

Unlabelled: Deficits in cognitive functions are often observed in epileptic patients, particularly in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Evidence suggests that this cognitive decline can be associated with the occurrence of focal brain lesions, especially on hippocampus and cortex regions. We previously demonstrated that the erythrinian alkaloids, (+)-erythravine and (+)-11α-hydroxy-erythravine, inhibit seizures evoked in rats by different chemoconvulsants.

Anxiety: a systematic review of neurobiology, traditional pharmaceuticals and novel alternatives from medicinal plants.

Pathologic anxiety is a disproportional reaction of individuals to anticipation or misinterpretation of a potential danger, which affects individual social and personal life. Despite the advances already accomplished, further studies are still necessary in order to understand the mechanisms involved in anxiety. These may provide more effective and safer treatments to aid in the control of anxiety and improve patient quality of life.

Neuropharmacological profile of FrPbAII, purified from the venom of the social spider Parawixia bistriata (Araneae, Araneidae), in Wistar rats.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the anticonvulsant activity and behavioral toxicity of FrPbAII using freely moving Wistar rats. Moreover, the effectiveness of this compound against chemical convulsants was compared to that of the inhibitor of the GABAergic uptake, nipecotic acid. Our results show that FrPbAII was effective against seizures induced by the i.

Anticonvulsant and behavioural effects of the denatured venom of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis (Polistinae, Vespidae).

Several investigations demonstrate that neurotoxins isolated from venoms of spiders and wasps may exert specific and selective activity on structures of the mammalian CNS. In the present work we examine the neurological effects of the low molecular weight compounds of the denatured venom of the neotropical social wasp Polybia occidentalis in freely moving rats. Central administration of denatured venom decreased the duration of exploratory, elevation and grooming behaviours on the open field.