Anticonvulsant properties of Euterpe oleracea in mice

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a highly consumed fruit in Amazon, is from a common palm with remarkable antioxidant properties. Because oxidative stress and seizures are intimately linked, this study investigated the potential neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of commercial clarified açai juice (EO). EO did not alter spontaneous locomotor activity. Four doses of EO were sufficient to increase latencies to both first myoclonic jerk and first generalized tonic–clonic seizure and significantly decrease the total duration of tonic-clonic seizures caused by pentylenetetrazol administration. Also, electrocortical alterations provoked by pentylenetetrazol were prevented, significantly decreasing amplitude of discharges and frequencies above 50 Hz. EO was also able to completely prevent lipid peroxidation in the cerebral cortex, showing a potent direct scavenging property. These results demonstrate for the first time that E. oleracea significantly protects against seizures and seizure-related oxidative stress, indicating an additional protection for humans who consume this fruit. •Clarified açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) juice (EO) did not affect locomotor activity.•Four doses of EO were sufficient to improve behavioral alterations caused by seizures.•EO decreased amplitude of discharges and frequencies >50 Hz in electrocorticograms.•EO reduced lipid peroxidation caused by seizures in the cerebral cortex of mice.•EO showed a potent direct scavenging property, higher than that of ascorbic acid.