Análise dos efeitos de diferentes dosagens de canabigerol (CBG) em crises epilépticas: avaliação do comportamento animal e impacto na morfologia e mortalidade neuronal

Abstract

Epilepsy is a multifactorial neurological condition characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability and recurrent spontaneous seizures, often accompanied by long-term cognitive, emotional, and morphological impairments. Due to the limited efficacy of current pharmacological treatments—especially in refractory cases—there is growing interest in compounds with multimodal activity. This study investigated the effects of cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, on behavioral and histological parameters in experimental seizure models induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and pilocarpine (PILO) in adult mice. Latency to seizure onset, progression, severity, mortality, and behavioral patterns were analyzed, along with hippocampal markers of acute neuronal injury (Fluoro-Jade C), cytoarchitecture (Nissl), and astrocytic reactivity (GFAP). Results showed that CBG 100 mg/kg significantly increased seizure threshold, reduced the occurrence of severe seizures and mortality, and preserved the structural integrity of hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions. Moreover, decreased gliosis, preserved blood-brain barrier integrity, and reduced neuronal degeneration supported the compound’s anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. CBG displayed a dose-dependent profile, being more effective in the PILO model, and its action appears to involve modulation of glial response, neural microenvironment, and synaptic plasticity. These findings position CBG as a promising multifunctional agent with potential for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and the prevention of long-term neurological sequelae.