Proanthocyanidin from Vitis vinifera attenuates memory impairment due to convulsive status epilepticus

This study investigated the effects of proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (PRF) of Vitis vinifera seed extract on the markers of hippocampal-dependent memory in convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) rat model. One hundred juvenile Wistar rats were randomized into 6 groups. Group 1 (n = 10) received propylene glycol (PG 0.1 ml/100 g) intraperitoneally (i.p), while convulsion was induced in groups 2-6 (n = 18 each) using lithium (127 mg/kg i.p) and pilocarpine hydrochloride (40 mg/kg i.p). The established CSE rats in groups 2-6 received a daily treatment of PG (0.1 ml i.p), PRF (30 mg/kg i.p), PRF (20 mg/kg BW i.p), PRF (10 mg/kg BW i.p) or diazepam (5 mg/kg BW i.p) for seven days. Thereafter, they were kept untreated but with access to feed and water for 21 days. The control and CSE-treated rats were subjected to behavioral tests, while the biochemical and histomorphological evaluations of the hippocampus were done after the sacrifice. The results were presented as mean ± SEM in graphs or tables. The level of significance was considered when p < 0.05. There was significant decrease in the hippocampal-dependent memory, hippocampal weight and an increased malondialdehyde concentration following CSE. The activities of acetylcholinesterase decreased significantly in the PRF-treated CSE rats. The hippocampal glial cells and granule count increased significantly following CSE, with various neurodegenerative features in the CA1 of the hippocampus. These derangements were attenuated significantly following PRF treatment. Memory impairment following CSE may be attenuated with the administration of PRF from V. vinifera seed in rats.