Chrysin ameliorates seizures, seizure-induced oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in experimental models of epilepsy in rats

Abstract Purpose: Chrysin (CH), a naturally occurring flavonoid found in various traditional medicinal plants and bee products, has been reported to possess antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. These properties may offer therapeutic potential in epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder frequently accompanied by cognitive impairment and oxidative stress. To evaluate the anticonvulsant, antioxidative, and cognitive-protective effects of chrysin in experimental models of epilepsy. Materials and methods: The effects of CH were assessed using three established rodent models: pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures, and PTZ-induced kindling. Seizure severity, protection percentage, and progression of kindling were recorded. Cognitive performance was evaluated across all models, and biochemical assays were conducted to measure oxidative stress markers and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Results: CH (120 mg/kg) demonstrated robust anticonvulsant activity, offering 83.3% protection against generalized tonic–clonic seizures in the PTZ model and complete (100%) protection in the MES model. In PTZ-induced kindling, CH significantly attenuated epileptogenesis (mean seizure score = 1.66). All three models exhibited marked cognitive deficits, which were significantly improved by CH treatment. CH also effectively restored oxidative stress parameters and reversed the seizure-induced reduction in AChE activity. Conclusions: Chrysin exhibits potent anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects in multiple seizure models, mitigating seizure severity, oxidative stress, and associated cognitive deficits. These findings support the ethnopharmacological relevance of chrysin-containing natural products and highlight CH as a promising phytochemical candidate for managing epilepsy and its neurocognitive complications.