Electrophysiological study of the rehabilitation effect of saffron on epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by sudden and uncontrolled ictal and interictal neuronal spikes in the amygdala and visual system. Since the etiology of the disease varies, studying the mechanisms of epileptogenesis in experimental models can help elucidate its pathogenesis. Our study investigated the electrical activity of visual system structures in the amygdalar epilepsy, with a particular focus on the effects of saffron in suppressing epileptic seizures. The experiments were conducted on awake, non-anesthetized, and non-immobilized rabbits. EEG recordings were obtained using implanted electrodes in the cortical and subcortical structures of the visual system, specifically the superior colliculus, the lateral geniculate body, and visual cortex. Experimental epilepsy was induced by injecting penicillin into the basolateral amygdala. The animals were divided into four groups: groups A and B were fed a regular diet, while groups C and D received an aqueous saffron solution. All groups underwent experimental epilepsy induction, but animals in groups B and D additionally received saffron extract injections into the amygdala. In rabbits that received saffron, ictal and interictal spikes were not observed on the EEG, whereas animals that did not receive saffron exhibited abundant epileptiform discharges. As a result, epileptiform activity was significantly reduced in saffron-treated rabbits, with short-amplitude waves prevailing over high-amplitude waves. During the experiment, virtually no epileptic activity was observed in the rabbits. Injection of saffron into the amygdala led to the immediate cessation of epileptiform activity. It can be assumed that this effect of saffron is based on the action of its components – crocin, crocetin, and safranal.