Myrtenol mitigates seizure activity and oxidative imbalance in a mouse model of PTZ-induced seizure

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures are strongly associated with oxidative imbalance, and the monoterpenoid alcohol myrtenol has been proposed to exert antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This study investigated whether myrtenol attenuates PTZ-evoked seizure activity and oxidative disturbances in the mouse hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Sixty male mice were assigned to six groups: control, PTZ-only, three myrtenol pretreatment doses (25, 50, 100 mg/kg), and diazepam. Seizure susceptibility was evaluated by measuring latencies to minimal clonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures following PTZ administration. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total thiol content, were quantified in brain homogenates. PTZ reliably induced seizures and oxidative alterations. Myrtenol pretreatment increased seizure latencies in a dose-dependent manner, although diazepam produced the greatest protection. Myrtenol, particularly at 100 mg/kg, reduced PTZ-induced elevations in MDA and NO, restored SOD and CAT activities, and improved thiol levels, with effects approaching those of diazepam. Lower myrtenol doses produced partial or nonsignificant biochemical improvements. These findings indicate that myrtenol mitigates PTZ-induced seizure expression and oxidative stress, with the highest dose demonstrating the most consistent neuroprotective profile.