4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde from Gastrodia elata B1. is active in the antioxidation and GABAergic neuromodulation of the rat brain

Abstract

Ether fraction of G. elata methanol extract significantly inhibited the recovery time and severity induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) treatment. Pretreatment of ether fraction of G. elata methanol extract successfully prevented diminution of brain GABA level in subconvulsive dose of PTZ-treated rats. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, an analogue of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, showed an inhibitory effect on the GABA transaminase, and its inhibitory activity was higher than that of valproic acid, a known anticonvulsant. In the brain of PTZ-treated rats, brain lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, while it recovered to the control level after treatment with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. It may be concluded that antioxidation and positive modulation of GABAergic neuromodulation of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde partially contribute to an antiepileptic and anticonvulsive activity of G. elata B1.