| Abstract: | Clavulanic acid is a psychoactive compound with excellent blood‐brain barrier permeability and safety profiles. Previous studies showed that clavulanic acid suppresses anxiety in rodents and in a primate model. In addition, clavulanic acid is thought to enhance sexual function in animal models via central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms. To further examine its potential as a CNS‐modulating agent, we investigated the effects of clavulanic acid in neurotoxin‐induced animal models that emulate neurodegenerative disease symptoms. Clavulanic acid was administered to rodents that were exposed to kainic acid or 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Using histochemical staining of brain sections, we demonstrated that clavulanic acid protects hippocampal and dopaminergic neurons from toxin‐induced acute death. We also observed that clavulanic acid improves motor function in MPTP‐treated mice in a behavioral test. These data indicate that clavulanic acid may have neuroprotective effects and warrants further investigation of its therapeutic use in CNS disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Drug Dev Res 71:351–357, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
