Folic acid supplementation alleviates behavioral manifestations of lindane-induced seizuress

Abstract

Lindane is a scabicide and pesticide that can exert neurotoxic effects such as tonic and clonic seizures that are refractory to many antiepileptic drugs. Folic acid stands out as a potential substance worth testing for its neuroprotective and in certain experimental models anticonvulsive effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential therapeutic value of folic acid supplementation on the behavioral characteristics of lindane-induced seizures. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: Controls: dimethyl sulfoxide-injected (C1), saline-treated (C2); lindane (4 mg/ kg; 6 mg/kg; 8 mg/kg; L4; L6; L8, respectively); folic acid 15 mg/kg (F) and F administered 30 min prior to L4, L6, or L8 (L4F; L6F; L8F, respectively). Convulsive behavior was assessed by the incidence of seizures, seizure latency and seizure severity. Lindane administration has shown a tendency of proportional increase in seizure incidence, decrease in seizure latency and increase in seizure intensity. Pretreatment with folic acid significantly prolonged the latency period and decreased the frequency of grade 4 seizures in the L8F group when compared to the L8 group. We concluded that folic acid alleviates the behavioral manifestations of lindane-induced seizures and that it can be applied as a potential adjuvant in lindane-poisoned patients; however, further research is still needed.