A combinatorial approach to the search for anticonvulsant agents from gou teng and tian ma

About 40% epileptic patients are refractory to current therapeutics, thus the discovery of new antiepileptic agents is urgently needed. Gou Teng and Tian Ma are two famous Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) widely used in the treatment of epilepsy. Some oxindole alkaloids of Gou Teng have been shown to be antagonists of NMDA receptor, possibly attributable to the antiepileptic activity. This thesis aims to search for active antiepileptic and neuroprotective agents from Gou Teng, Tian Ma and the new synthesized 2-oxindole derivatives. The anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity were tested on mice inflicted by maximal-electroshock (MES) and neuronal cells insulted by neurotoxins. The results showed that neither of the herbal extracts could protect mice from MES induced seizures, but some compounds found in Tian Ma and the new synthesized 2-oxindole derivatives could be acting as neuroprotectants against oxidative stress. Hence these two TCMs and 2-oxindole derivatives might be used more as prophylactics than cure for epilepsy.

Author dc:creator

• YANG HONG

• Antiepileptic agents, Gou Teng (Ramulus Uncariae cum uncis), Tian Ma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae), NMDA receptor, 2-oxindole derivatives