The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus

IntroductionEpilepsy is a common neurological disorder; seizures and hyperexcitability are its defining features in the central nervous system (CNS). The condition known as status epilepticus (SE) can be fatal, as it involves seizures occurring. Epilepsy is typically treated with antiepileptic drugs...

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Main Authors: Sherien E. Khalaf, Mohammad Al Masri, Ghaleb Oriquat, Maher A. Kamel, Nagwa M. Assem, Suzan M. Abdel-Tawab, Samar S. Elblehi, Shimaa A. Mahmoud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2025.1613893/full
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author Sherien E. Khalaf
Mohammad Al Masri
Ghaleb Oriquat
Maher A. Kamel
Maher A. Kamel
Nagwa M. Assem
Suzan M. Abdel-Tawab
Samar S. Elblehi
Shimaa A. Mahmoud
author_facet Sherien E. Khalaf
Mohammad Al Masri
Ghaleb Oriquat
Maher A. Kamel
Maher A. Kamel
Nagwa M. Assem
Suzan M. Abdel-Tawab
Samar S. Elblehi
Shimaa A. Mahmoud
author_sort Sherien E. Khalaf
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionEpilepsy is a common neurological disorder; seizures and hyperexcitability are its defining features in the central nervous system (CNS). The condition known as status epilepticus (SE) can be fatal, as it involves seizures occurring. Epilepsy is typically treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like carbamazepine (CBZ). The present study aimed to establish a rat model of SE-like disease using the LiCl-pilocarpine and then utilize these rat models to evaluate the therapeutic potential of AST and/or CBZ in a solution form or loaded on NLCs via intranasal administration. Additionally, to investigate the potential molecular targets of AST and AST + CBZ-nanoformulations.MethodsAfter the treatment was completed, the rats underwent behavioral tests, including the rotarod and Morris Water Maze (MWM). They are then sacrificed and their brains were dissected to obtain the cerebral cortex and hippocampus for the assessment of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and dopamine; gene expression of GABA type A (GABAA) receptors subunits and gephyrin; indicators of inflammation like nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1); antioxidant markers, including nuclear factor transcription factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hem oxygenase-1 (HO-1).ResultsThe rats treated with the combination of AST and CBZ in nano-formulations seeing the best results.DiscussionAstaxanthin (AST) may reduce epilepsy-induced oxidative stress and neuronal cell death in the brain. Nano lipid carriers (NLCs) serve as better drug delivery carriers for lipophilic drugs such as CBZ and AST. AST exhibited potential anti-epileptic effects on its own, particularly as NLC-nanoformulations and when combined with conventional AEDs (CBZ).
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spelling doaj-art-a52e3f67548c4084ad31aef4e28884ef2025-08-20T03:24:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience1662-50992025-06-011810.3389/fnmol.2025.16138931613893The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticusSherien E. Khalaf0Mohammad Al Masri1Ghaleb Oriquat2Maher A. Kamel3Maher A. Kamel4Nagwa M. Assem5Suzan M. Abdel-Tawab6Samar S. Elblehi7Shimaa A. Mahmoud8Department of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment Audiology and Speech Pathology, Al-Ahlyyia Amman University, Amman, JordanDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, JordanDepartment of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptPharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptDepartment of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptIntroductionEpilepsy is a common neurological disorder; seizures and hyperexcitability are its defining features in the central nervous system (CNS). The condition known as status epilepticus (SE) can be fatal, as it involves seizures occurring. Epilepsy is typically treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like carbamazepine (CBZ). The present study aimed to establish a rat model of SE-like disease using the LiCl-pilocarpine and then utilize these rat models to evaluate the therapeutic potential of AST and/or CBZ in a solution form or loaded on NLCs via intranasal administration. Additionally, to investigate the potential molecular targets of AST and AST + CBZ-nanoformulations.MethodsAfter the treatment was completed, the rats underwent behavioral tests, including the rotarod and Morris Water Maze (MWM). They are then sacrificed and their brains were dissected to obtain the cerebral cortex and hippocampus for the assessment of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and dopamine; gene expression of GABA type A (GABAA) receptors subunits and gephyrin; indicators of inflammation like nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1); antioxidant markers, including nuclear factor transcription factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hem oxygenase-1 (HO-1).ResultsThe rats treated with the combination of AST and CBZ in nano-formulations seeing the best results.DiscussionAstaxanthin (AST) may reduce epilepsy-induced oxidative stress and neuronal cell death in the brain. Nano lipid carriers (NLCs) serve as better drug delivery carriers for lipophilic drugs such as CBZ and AST. AST exhibited potential anti-epileptic effects on its own, particularly as NLC-nanoformulations and when combined with conventional AEDs (CBZ).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2025.1613893/fullAstaxanthincarbamazepineepilepsyGABAGABAA receptorsnanostructured lipid carriers
spellingShingle Sherien E. Khalaf
Mohammad Al Masri
Ghaleb Oriquat
Maher A. Kamel
Maher A. Kamel
Nagwa M. Assem
Suzan M. Abdel-Tawab
Samar S. Elblehi
Shimaa A. Mahmoud
The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
Astaxanthin
carbamazepine
epilepsy
GABA
GABAA receptors
nanostructured lipid carriers
title The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
title_full The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
title_fullStr The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
title_full_unstemmed The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
title_short The potential anti-seizure effects of Astaxanthin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
title_sort potential anti seizure effects of astaxanthin loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in rat model of status epilepticus
topic Astaxanthin
carbamazepine
epilepsy
GABA
GABAA receptors
nanostructured lipid carriers
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2025.1613893/full
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