Effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on cognitive function of kindled rats by pentylenetetrazole

AIM To explore the effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide(NBP)on the spatial learning and memory capacity of chronic epileptics model.METHODS Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 2 groups:control group(n=18),in which rats received intraperitoneal injections of the 0.9% saline;model group(n=42),in which rats were injected intraperitoneally with pentylenetetrazole(PTZ) (35 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)in 0.9%saline)for 21 d.After completely kindled,rats in model group were divided randomly into PTZ and NBP group,NBP group was orally administrated NBP for 21 d,meanwhile,PTZ was applied sequentially in 2 groups.After the last application of NBP,cognitive function was tested by Morris water maze, step-down test,and event-related potential P300.RESULTS The escape latency,total swimming time in platform quadrant and crossing times in the Morris water maze test were different significantly in PTZ group compared with control group,with similarly results in the step-down and P300 peak latency(P0.05).There were significantly differences in the early term of water maze and step-down test in NBP group compared with control group(P0.05),however,no differences were found in the late term of water maze,step-down and P300 test.CONCLUSION PTZ kindled rats have cognition impairment and NBP can significantly improve the cognitive function of chronic epileptics rat.