Efficacy of fish liver oil and propolis as neuroprotective agents in pilocarpine epileptic rats treated with valproate

Objective: To evaluate the action of fish liver oil and propolis in pilocarpine epileptic rats treated with the anticonvulsant drug valproate. Methods: Seven groups of rats were treated daily for six months: control; fish liver oil (0.4 ml/kg b.w); propolis (50 mg/kg b.w); pilocarpine-treated rats (epileptic control); epileptic rats treated with valproate (400 mg/kg b.w); groups 6 and 7, epileptic rats treated with valproate plus fish liver oil or propolis. Results: Pilocarpine administration caused a significant increase in hippocampal dopamine and serotonin levels accompanied with a significant decrease in their levels in serum. Lipid peroxidation level and LDH activity in hippocampus were significantly increased after pilocarpine treatment whereas Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and total antioxidant capacity were significantly decreased compared to the controls. Animals treated with the combined treatments showed a significant improvement in tested parameters towards the normal values of the control. Conclusion: Fish liver oil and propolis when given in combination with valproate, neuroprotected against the neurophysiological disorders induced by pilocarpine epilepsy in rats.