Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Property of Silymarin on Alcohol-Exacerbated Seizure-Induced Anxiety-Like Behaviours in Mice

ABSTRACT
Background: Alcohol use exacerbates seizures and induces anxiety-like behavior, complicating the management of epilepsy. Silymarin, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may alleviate such anxiety. This study evaluates silymarin's impact on alcohol-exacerbated PTZ-induced seizures and associated anxiety in mice.
Methods: Adult male Swiss Albino mice were divided into 7 groups (n=8). Group 1 received saline (10 mL/kg, p.o.), group 2: ethanol (EtOH, 20%, 10 mL/kg, equivalent to 2g/Kg); group 3: PTZ (37.5 mg/kg, i.p.); group 4: EtOH + PTZ; group 5: EtOH + PTZ + silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o.); group 6: EtOH + PTZ + silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.); group 7: EtOH + PTZ + diazepam (3 mg/kg, p.o.). Treatments were administered daily for 14 days, except PTZ on alternate days and EtOH from Day 7. Behavioral tests such as Elevated plus maize and the light and dark box tests were conducted to measure parameters indicative of anxiety levels.
Results: Alcohol-exacerbated PTZ-induced seizures significantly reduced latency to dark and increased time spent in the dark zone, indicating heightened anxiety. Silymarin treatment increased latency to dark and time spent in the light zone compared to the ethanol-exacerbated group, suggesting reduced anxiety. These effects were comparable to diazepam.
Conclusion: Silymarin demonstrates anxiolytic properties by mitigating ethanol-exacerbated PTZ-induced anxiety in mice, likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This supports its potential therapeutic benefits for anxiety associated with seizure disorders.
Keywords: Anxiety, Epilepsy, Alcohol, Silymarin.