Valeriana officinalis extract and 7-Nitroindozole ameliorated seizure behaviours, and 7-Nitroindozole reduced blood pressure and ECG parameters in pentylenetetrazole-kindled rats

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a neuromodulator with dual proconvulsive and anticonvulsive action. Valeriana officinalis (VAL) was previously believed to be antiepileptic, but is today known as a sedative and sleep regulator. Seizures may be associated with abnormal electrocardiographic changes and cardiac dysfunction arising from epilepsy may be related with neuronal nitric oxide (nNO). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI) and VAL on seizure behaviours and electrocardiographic parameters in the pentylentetrazole (PTZ)-kindled seizure model.