Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor σ (pPARσ) Agonists and Their Role on Epilepsy-Induced Seizures: An Experimental Evaluative Study

Objective: To evaluate the antiepileptic properties of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor σ (pPARσ) agonists in chemically and electrically induced seizures in experimental laboratory animal models.

Methods: Prior to the experimentation on animals, the research proposal was approved by the appropriate official bodies (Institutional Research Committee [IRC] and Institutional Animal Ethics Committee [IAEC]). The research protocol followed the guidelines as per the directions from the INSA and CPCSEA throughout the study period. The study had a total of eight groups and two animal models each within four groups. Groups I to IV were for chemically induced seizure model and groups V to VIII for electrically induced model. There were vehicle control, standard, and two experimental test drugs belonging to PPARσ agonists for groups I to IV and groups V to VIII for chemically and electrically induced seizure models, respectively. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical test methods and the p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: In this study, there were a total of six parameters (four for chemically induced seizure model and two for electrically induced seizure model) which accounted for determining the statistical difference among control, standard, and experimental test drug groups. In this study, it was found that there was a difference between the experimental test drug groups PPARσ agonists+ in comparison to the control group for number, score, onset, and duration of seizures in chemically induced seizure model (p-value more than 0.05). Statistical analysis also confirmed that there was a statistically significant difference between the standard (group II) and experimental test drug groups (i.e., groups III and IV) with p-value of less than 0.05. In another model with electrically induced seizure test, Results were of similar nature as the chemically induced seizure model, as in both the experimental test drug groups PPARσ agonists+, that is, groups VII and VIII, there was a slight reduction in score of seizures, when compared with the group V (standard) with p-value of more than 0.05.

Conclusion: Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor σ (pPARσ) agonists showed increase in onset with decline in duration, number, and score of seizures in chemically, as well as decline in score of seizures in electrically induced seizures in experimental laboratory animal models.