Piracetam as Neuroprotective, Anticonvulsant, and Anti-Anxiety Agent: An In Vivo Study on Ptz Epileptic Rats

Epilepsy, a category of neurological disorder, is characterized by recurrent seizures. Epileptic seizures are characterized by sudden alterations in brain electrical activity. Piracetam is a derivative of cyclic aminobutyric acid that exerts neuroprotective effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, and anti-anxiety effects of piracetam in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure rat model. To evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of piracetam in the PTZ seizure model, the experimental groups were administered piracetam at doses of 30 or 100 mg/kg. The positive control group was administered diazepam (2 mg/kg), while the negative control group was treated with only PTZ. The anti-anxiety effects were evaluated using the elevated plus maze and open field tests. Additionally, the antioxidant effects of piracetam on brain tissues were examined. The open field test results demonstrated a significant increase in the number of crossings over the line in the Piracetam (30 and 100 mg/kg) and diazepam groups, in comparison to the negative control group. In the plus maze test, the groups administered Piracetam demonstrated a greater tendency to spend time in the open arms than the control group. Furthermore, diazepam markedly elevated the time spent in the open arms in comparison to the negative control group. The histological results demonstrated structural alterations in hippocampal neurons. Additionally, the antioxidant test demonstrated that Piracetam possesses antioxidant properties when compared to the negative control group. Piracetam demonstrated anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects in PTZ-induced epileptic rats, exhibiting the ability to inhibit or reduce the incidence of seizures. Additionally, it demonstrated anti-anxiety and sedative properties. The neuroprotective effects of Piracetam may be attributed to its ability to regulate neurotransmitter systems, including cholinergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, and glutamatergic pathways. It can be posited that Piracetam may possess neuroprotective, anti-epileptic, anti-anxiety, and antioxidant properties in PTZ epileptic rats. Nevertheless, additional research is required to substantiate these findings.