Objectives:

This study was designed to determine the effects of Cichorium intybus (CI) on apoptosis and GABAA receptor density in the brains of rats in pentyleneterazole induced kindling.

Methods:

The rats were divided into three groups: Control group, pentylenetetrazol administered (PTZ) group, and PTZ+CI extract administered (PTZ+CI) group. Control group received only physiological saline (0.5 ml). PTZ (35 mg/kg) injected to the animals in the PTZ and PTZ+CI groups. The CI extract (200 mg/kg) was also administered to the PTZ+CI group. A 75 mg/kg challenge dose of PTZ was administrated to the PTZ treated groups, on the 12th injection.

Results:

A significant increase was found in the number of neurons expressing the GABAA receptor in the brain tissue (hippocampus and cerebral cortex) of the PTZ group when compared to the control. The density of GABAA receptor of the neurons in the cerebral cortex significantly increased in PTZ administered groups compared to the control. The number of apoptotic neurons was found non-significant between groups in the brain.

Conclusion:

CI treatment prolonged the onset of the first seizure activity and seizure latency at a convulsive dose, and kept the number of GABAA receptors close to that of the control in the hippocampus.

Keywords: Brain cichorium intybus, epilepsy, hippocampus, kindling, pentyleneterazole, seizure