Band gap energy shift as a biophysical marker of Puerarin's neuroprotective role in epilepsy-induced demyelination

Abstract

The study aims to determine the neuroprotective effect of Puerarin, extracted from Pueraria lobata roots, against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic seizures and concomitant demyelination and low conductance through diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (DRS) technique. Mice groups (n = 12) were pretreated with vehicle and Puerarin (100 mg kg-1, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) for 42 days (alternate days). PTZ (35 mg kg-1, i.p.) was given after 30 min to all mice groups except the vehicle control group. Puerarin remarkably reduced seizures scoring, hyperalgesia and blood-brain barrier disruption and improved muscle coordination. High anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) levels in PTZ-treated mice confirmed demyelination, with low molar absorption coefficient (& micro;a) and high scattering coefficient (& micro;s) and absorption. Puerarin treatment increased & micro;a and decreased anti-MOG and & micro;s, similar to the vehicle control group. This indicates a protective effect of Puerarin against demyelination. Band gap energy (Ebg) was calculated by the Kubelka-Munk model and incorporated in the current study for the first time to evaluate pathology. Ebg blue shift showed compromised conductance capacity of nerves in PTZ-induced epilepsy compared with Puerarin-treated animals. Haematoxylin and eosin and Nissl staining were used to further authenticate the neuroprotective effect of Puerarin. In conclusion, Puerarin countered demyelination and low conductance of nerve owing to PTZ-induced epilepsy assessed via DRS.