Potential Neuromodulator Effects of Prodigiosin-conjugated Silver Nanoparticles: Implications for Epilepsy Management and Their Impact on Obesity in Rat Model

Exposure to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is capable of inducing experimental epilepsy in rats. As a result of the use of anticonvulsant treatment, obesity and metabolic syndrome are commonly observed in patients with epilepsy. Prodigiosin (PG) is a red pigment synthesized by bacterial species with important pharmaceutical and biological activities. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities of silver nanoparticles conjugated with PG (PG-AgNPs) versus pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic seizures.

Rats were assigned into six experimental groups: control; PG-AgNP (300 mg/kg); PTZ (60 mg/kg, epileptic model); sodium valproate (600 mg/kg) + PTZ; PG-AgNP + PTZ and sodium valproate (VPA)+PG-AgNP+ PTZ. The treatment duration is extended to 7 days.

Induction of epilepsy resulted in a significant decrease in monoamines (5-HT, DA, NE), glutamate, aspartate, serine and a significant increase in GABA, glycine and taurine in the brain. In addition, it causes an increase in serum insulin and leptin and a significant decrease in serum glucose and disturbance in oxidative and antioxidant system. Additionally, PG-AgNP enhanced the antioxidant capacity of brain tissue by activating antioxidants and decreasing the levels of pro-oxidants. In addition, it caused decrease in insulin resistant and leptin level in serum accordingly caused increase in the content of blood glucose level which enhance the metabolic rate and minimize the increase in the body weight as a result of anticonvulsant (VPA). Interestingly, PG-AgNP restored the PTZ-induced imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids and improved monoaminergic and cholinergic transmission.