A team of neuroscientists at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is investigating the potential of caraway seeds as a treatment for seizures in children. Their research focuses on a compound known as carvone, which is found in caraway seeds, with the aim of developing a safe and effective medication. Preliminary findings indicate that the research may exceed initial expectations, highlighting the promise of this unconventional approach.
In collaboration with experts from New Mexico State University, UNLV associate professors of neuroscience, Rochelle and Dustin Hines, are creating a new class of pharmaceuticals by transforming carvone into CBD-like molecules. Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, has gained attention in recent years for its potential health benefits, particularly in seizure management, despite limited evidence for other medical conditions.
Adriana Carrillo, an undergraduate at UNLV and a co-author of the research paper published on September 24, 2023, shared her firsthand experience observing seizures in animal models. Utilizing a compound light microscope, she noted an “overabundance” of brain connections that led to excessive brain activity in seizure-prone mice. This abnormal activity can result in severe symptoms, including unconsciousness and muscle spasms.
Traditionally, benzodiazepines have been employed to treat seizures, as they suppress overall brain activity. However, this suppression can be detrimental to young patients, whose developing brains require a certain level of activity to grow properly. Currently, the only FDA-approved CBD-based treatment for seizures is Epidiolex, but Rochelle Hines remarked that FDA guidelines for its use in children are “fairly restrictive.”
The Hineses were inspired by the efficacy of CBD in seizure treatment to explore the creation of novel CBD-like compounds. Rochelle Hines explained, “As you change the chemical structure, you change how it interacts with different targets or receptors.” Their research revealed a compound that may interact more effectively with receptors than CBD itself.
The results from tests using the caraway seed-derived drug showed a significant reduction in the density of excessive brain connections in the mice, which correlated with a decrease in seizure risk. Carrillo observed that the mortality rate among the treated mice dropped to zero, an outcome Dustin Hines characterized as “really impressive.”
The research team is committed to further exploring their findings to understand the drug’s mechanisms and its impact on other organs. If their studies continue to yield positive results, they hope to initiate human trials, a crucial step toward obtaining FDA approval.
The implications of this research extend beyond seizure treatment. Dustin Hines expressed enthusiasm for the broader potential of the compounds derived from caraway seeds. Initially, the team anticipated identifying just one or two promising compounds, but early outcomes have indicated about seven candidates showing positive effects. This breadth of discovery could lead to a new library of CBD-like medications with applications across various medical conditions.
As the team delves deeper into the biochemical properties of their modified compounds, Carrillo highlighted the importance of understanding the specifics of their treatment’s effects on protein alterations and brain cell connections. She stated, “Answering these questions here in the lab builds a foundation for families having accessibility to safe and effective therapeutics one day in the future.”
The ongoing research at UNLV not only holds hope for children suffering from seizures but also represents a significant step forward in the exploration of plant-based compounds for medical use.
