Essential fatty acid preparation (SR-3) raises the seizure threshold in rats

The anticonvulsant properties of a mixture of non-esterified α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid with a ratio of 1:4 (SR-3) were evaluated in four rat models of epileptic seizures: (1) i.p. injection of a single convulsant dose (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) of pentylenetetrazol; (2) repeated subconvulsant doses of pentylenetetrazol; (3) cortical irritation by intraventricular administration of iron chloride (FeCl₃); and (4) audiogenic seizure-prone preparation created by repeated pretreatment with p-cresol. Treatment with SR-3 (about 40 mg/kg i.p.) for a period of 3 weeks prior to challenge was found effective in each of these experimental models and caused up to a 22-fold increase in latency to major motor seizures, up to 84% reduction in the number of rats with seizures, and up to a 97% reduction in the duration of seizures. It is postulated that the anticonvulsant effects of SR-3 may be related to its stabilization of neuronal membranes. SR-3 should be evaluated further as a treatment for epilepsy.