3-Carene modulates baseline brain electrical activity without suppressing 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure events: an in vivo and in vitro electrophysiological study

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11064-025-04595-5

In the current study, we investigated the effects of 3-carene administration on basal brain activity and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) induced epileptiform activity. Additionally, we examined the effects of asprosin on ECoG band powers. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows: control (DMSO), 4-AP (2.5 mg/kg i.p.), 3-carene 10 mg/kg (i.p), 3-carene 50 mg/kg (i.p), 3-carene 50 mg/kg (i.p) post-treatment. Recordings lasting 60-70 min were conducted for all groups under ketamine/xylazine (90/10 mg/kg) anesthesia. Furthermore, we used thick acute horizontal hippocampal slices obtained from 30‑ to 35‑day‑old rats for in vitro experiments. Extracellular field potential recordings were evaluated in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In vivo recordings revealed that intraperitoneal administration of 3-carene (10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) significantly suppressed basal brain activity across delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands. However, 3-carene failed to reduce epileptiform discharges induced by 4-AP. Complementary in vitro experiments using hippocampal and entorhinal cortex slices further confirmed the lack of anticonvulsant effect, as 3-carene did not alter the frequency or duration of 4-AP-induced ictal or interictal events. These findings suggest that while 3-carene modulates resting-state cortical oscillations, it lacks efficacy in suppressing seizure-like activity. The results highlight its potential as a neuromodulatory agent rather than a standalone anticonvulsant.