Protective role of Edaravone against valproic acid induced changes in skin

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug known to have some adverse effects on gastrointestinal, neurologic, hematologic and reproductive systems. In this study, we investigated the effect of edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-5-one), a potent free radical scavenger, on skin oxidative and inflammatory changes caused by VPA. Female rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, edaravone (30 mg/kg/day, i.p.), VPA (0.5 g/kg/day, i.p.), and VPA+edaravone (in same dose, i.p.). On the 8^th day of experiment, all the animals were fasted overnight and then sacrificed under anesthesia. Malondialdehyde, glutathione, total sialic acid and total protein levels, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, myeloperoxidase and tissue factor activities were determined in homogenized skin samples. VPA administration significantly altered the skin oxidant and antioxidant balance which may cause skin cell damage. Edaravone, as an antioxidant, demonstrated its radical scavenger effect, especially on malondialdehyde level and glutathione-S-transferase activity. Edaravone, by preventing inflammatory and oxidative reactions, partly protected the skin against the changes observed after the VPA administration.