Effects of gamma-decanolactone on seizures induced by PTZ-kindling in mice.

Gamma-decanolactone is a monoterpene compound, and its psychopharmacological evaluation in mice revealed that it has a dose-dependent effect on the central nervous system, with hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and hypothermic activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of gamma-decanolactone on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindling in mice. Phenobarbital, an antiepileptic drug, was also tested for the purpose of comparison. After the behavioral procedures had been undertaken, the animals were killed and brain tissue was sampled to evaluate DNA damage in the brain using comet assay. The data reported here suggest that the administration of phenobarbital (10 mg/kg) and gamma-decanolactone at 0.3 g/kg, but not at 0.1 g/kg, impairs both the severity and the progression of seizures in the PTZ-kindling model. DNA damage to brain tissue decreased in gamma-decanolactone-treated kindling animals (similar to phenobarbital) as compared to nontreated animals. The results suggest that gamma-decanolactone has dose-dependent anticonvulsant properties, and may also have antiepileptogenic and neuroprotective effects in the PTZ-kindling model.