An involvement of COX and 5-LOX pathways in the penicillin- and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epilepsy models.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between epilepsy and COX/5-LOX inflammation pathways in the penicillin and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epilepsy models. For this purpose, 42 albino male Wistar rats were used in this study. In the penicillin and PTZ-induced epilepsy models, epileptiform activity was induced by injection of penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p., three times a week), respectively. Licofelone (20 mg/kg, i.p.), a dual inhibitor of COX/5-LOX, and esculetin (20 mg/kg, i.p.), a 5-LOX inhibitor, were given. In the penicillin-induced epilepsy model, ECoG activity was recorded for 180 min. In the PTZ-induced epilepsy model, both ECoG activity was recorded, and behavioral parameters were performed. In the penicillin groups, both licofelone and esculetin decreased the mean spike frequency and amplitude during the experiments. In the PTZ groups, licofelone (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was more effective than esculetin (20 mg/kg, i.p.). Licofelone showed its protective effects both in ECoG activity and in behavioral parameters. Esculetin was less effective when compared to licofelone. The electrophysiological and behavioral data from the present study indicated that inflammation pathways might have a crucial role in controlling epileptiform activity in rats. Licofelone might be a valuable candidate in advanced studies.