Investigation of the Phytochemical Components and Antiepileptic Potential of Helichrysum Pallasii (Sprengel) Ledeb. Through In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

This study investigated the bioactive components and in vitro and in vivo antiepileptic properties of the Helichrysum pallasii (Sprengel) Ledeb. species, which has long been used in traditional medicine in Eastern Anatolia. Pronounced antiepileptic properties of this plant were detected through in vitro antioxidant (ethanol and infusion=FCR:112.0 and 60.0 mg GAE/gE; FRAP: 2687.5 and 1502.9 mu mol Fe (2+) /gE; ORAC: 3200.7 and 2095.1 mu mol Trolox Eq./gE; DPPH: IC50=440.5 and 661.0 mu g ml(-1); metal chelatin:IC50= 185.8 and 443.9 mu g ml(-1 )respectively) and epilepsy-related enzyme Butyrylcholinesterase (IC50=374.5 and 817.9 mu g ml(-1) respectively), Acetylcholinesterase (IC50=242 and 682.0 mu g ml(-1) respectively) enzymes and GABA-T (IC50=350.3 and 676.4 mu g ml(-1) respectively) activity inhibition experiments and detailed in vivo investigations. In vivo, investigations included comparisons of the antiepileptic effects of three different dosages (60, 120, and 180 mg kg(-1)) of extract and infusion in a pentylenetetrazol kindling epilepsy model. It was found that the seizure scores were significantly reduced by both extracts, particularly at doses of 120 and 180 mg kg(-1) (p<0.05). Biochemically, it was determined that malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in the PTZ group, whereas MDA levels significantly decreased in the plant extract-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Furthermore, it was shown that the groups administered plant extract (ethanol extract specifically) had statistically higher levels of nitric oxide and antioxidant parameters (CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px). Phytochemical studies demonstrated that plant extracts contained a high amount of phenolic compounds (caffeoylquinic acid and quercetin derivatives) and various volatile and fatty acid compounds. Our findings revealed that the ethanol extract, which was rich in bioactive compounds, exhibited strong antiepileptic effects both in vivo and in vitro, which is in line with the use of the H. pallasii species in traditional medicine. It is recommended that more detailed mechanistic studies be conducted on this subject in the future.