Antiseizure Effects of Fully Characterized Non-Psychoactive <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. Extracts in the Repeated 6-Hz Corneal Stimulation Test

Abstract

Compounds present in Cannabis sativa L. preparations have recently attracted much attention in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Here, we screened two olive oil extracts from a non-psychoactive C. sativa variety, fully characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Particularly, hemp oils with different concentrations of terpenes were administered at the same dose of cannabidiol (25 mg/kg/day orally), 1 h before the 6-Hz corneal stimulation test (44 mA). Mice were stimulated once a day for 5 days and evaluated by video-electrocorticographic recordings and behavioral analysis. Neuronal activation was assessed by FosB/ΔFosB immunoreactivity. Both oils significantly reduced the percentage of mice experiencing convulsive seizures in comparison to olive oil-treated mice (p p < 0.050; Duncan’s method). The overall findings suggest that both cannabinoids and terpenes in oil extracts should be considered as potential therapeutic agents against epileptic seizures and epilepsy.

Keywords

• <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L.
• hemp
• cannabidiol
• terpenes
• epilepsy
• 6-Hz corneal stimulation