title: Searsia chirindensis reverses the potentiating effect of prenatal stress on the development of febrile seizures and decreased plasma interleukin-1β levels.
abstract: It is estimated that more than 80% of patients with epilepsy live in developing countries with 50-60% of them being children. This high prevalence is perpetuated by low socio-economic challenges, poor health care facilities and lack of drug affordability. Searsia chirindensis formerly known as rhus chirindensis and commonly known as 'Red Current' is a popular traditional medicinal plant, which has been used to treat a number of illnesses such as heart complaints and neurological disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of S. chirindensis on the development of febrile seizure in a prenatally stressed rat. Febrile seizures were induced by administering lipopolysaccharide to 14-day-old rat pups followed by kainic acid. A subset of the rats was treated with Searsia after induction of febrile seizures. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels were measured in plasma. Lipid peroxidation was determined in liver tissue. Our data shows that treatment with Searsia reduced interleukin-1β levels in plasma of the febrile seizure rats and prevented lipid oxidation in the liver. Prenatal stress is dampened by the beneficial effects of Searsia on seizure development in rat pups. These results highlight the potentiating effects of Searsia in the reversal of febrile seizures and prenatal stress effects.
authors: Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors: Lihle
authors: L
authors: Qulu
authors: Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors: Willie M U
authors: WM
authors: Daniels
authors: Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors: Vivienne
authors: V
authors: Russell
authors: Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa. Electronic address: mabandlam@ukzn.ac.za.
authors: Musa V
authors: MV
authors: Mabandla
mesh_terms: D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D020382:Interleukin-18; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Febrile seizures; Interleukin-1β; Kainic acid; Lipopolysaccharides; Prenatal stress; Searsia chirindensis