Relationship between the anticonvulsion effect of Gastrodia elata and interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide

Purpose. Our previous studies have shown that Gastrodia elata (GE) reduces kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic seizures and inhibits activation of microglia in rats. The present study investigated the relationship between the anticonvulsion effects of GE and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as nitric oxide (NO). Methods. Rats were administered KA (12 mg/kg) to induce epileptic seizure. After oral administration of GE 1.0 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg and valproic acid (VA) 250 mg/kg for 4 days prior to KA injection the number of KA-induced wet dog shakes was calculated, and the changes in IL-1β, TNF-α and NO levels in the peripheral blood, and IL-1β and TNF-α levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus regions of the rat brain were measured. Results. Both pretreatment of GE 1.0 g/kg and VA 250 mg/kg reduced the number of wet dog shakes. GE also reduced the levels of IL-1β and NO in the peripheral blood, and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the frontal cortex, and TNF-α in the hippocampus. Conclusions. GE inhibits the generation of cytokine IL-1β, TNF-α, and NO in rats with KA-induced seizures.