Therapeutic potential of the extract of giant millipede Telodeinopus Canaliculatus on epileptogenesis and associated anxiety-like behavior

The secretions of Telodeinopus canaliculatus, a giant millipede, are used in traditional medicine to treat epileptic seizures. Therefore, this work aimed to assess the antiepileptogenic- and anxiolytic-like effects of an extract of T. canaliculatu in mice. Forty-eight mice were divided into six groups of eight each and treated as follows: normal control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg, p.o.); negative control group received received distilled water (10 ml/kg, p.o.); positive control group received sodium valproate (300 mg/kg, p.o.); and test groups received with the extract (30, 50, and 70 mg/kg, p.o.). One hour later, all groups, except the normal control group (distilled water, 10 ml/kg, i.p.), received a daily dose of pentylenetetrazole (25 mg/kg, i.p) until the onset of tonic-clonic seizures on day 24. On day 26 of the experiment, anxious behaviors were assessed. The mice were subsequently sacrificed and brains were collected for neurochemical analyses. The extract (30, 50, 70 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced (p < 0.001) the seizure severity. It also increased the latencies to the onset of seizures. In the elevated plus maze, the extract (50 mg/kg) increased by 51% (p < 0.001) the time spent in the open arms. The extract (50 mg/kg) increased GABA concentration by 28% (p < 0.01) and 37% (p < 0.001) respectively in the hippocampus and amygdala. Moreover, the extract (30 mg/kg) decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde by 47% (p < 0.001) and 42% (p < 0.01) respectively in the same regions. The hydroethanolic extract of T. canaliculatus is endowed with antiepileptogenic and anxiolytic effects.