Medicinal compounds with antiepileptic/anticonvulsant activities

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Ethnobotany

Background:

• Epilepsy affects 50 million globally, with over 30% experiencing medically refractory seizures.
• Current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have limitations, including side effects and drug resistance in 30-40% of patients.
• Novel therapeutic strategies, such as phytotherapy, are crucial for managing refractory epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review pure active compounds from herbal medicines with demonstrated antiepileptic or anticonvulsant properties.
• To consolidate existing research on phytotherapy for epilepsy, focusing on isolated compounds rather than crude extracts.
• To provide a foundation for developing new AEDs from natural sources.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of online databases using predefined syntax and inclusion criteria.
• Identification and inclusion of medicinal compounds exhibiting anticonvulsant or antiepileptic activity.
• Classification of identified active compounds based on their structural types.

Main Results:

• Review encompasses active constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and coumarins.
• Discussion includes screening models, seizure induction methods, effective dosages, and mechanisms of action.
• Structure-activity relationships of selected antiepileptic compounds are analyzed.

Conclusions:

• The reviewed in vitro and in vivo data provide scientific evidence for novel AED development.
• Medicinal plants represent a promising source for discovering new antiepileptic agents.
• This review facilitates further research and development of plant-derived antiepileptic drugs.