Montelukast: The New Therapeutic Option for the Treatment of Epilepsy

• Published in: Journal of experimental pharmacology Vol. 13; pp. 23 - 31
• Main Authors: Tesfaye, Bekalu Amare, Hailu, Haftom Gebregergs, Zewdie, Kaleab Alemayehu, Ayza, Muluken Altaye, Berhe, Derbew Fikadu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Acids; Alzheimer's disease; Asthma; Biosynthesis; Cell adhesion & migration; Convulsions & seizures; cysteinyl leukotriene receptors; Cytokines; Enzymes; Epilepsy; Health aspects; Inflammation; Kinases; Montelukast; Pathophysiology; Permeability; Proteins; repurposing; Review; seizure; Seizures (Medicine); Smooth muscle; TNF inhibitors; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Zileuton; United States > US; cysteinyl leukotriene receptors; repurposing; seizure; inflammation
• ISSN: 1179-1454; 1179-1454
• DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S277720

Currently, there is no definitive cure for epilepsy. The available medications relieve symptoms and reduce seizure attacks. The major challenge with the available antiepileptic medication is safety and affordability. The repurposing of montelukast for epilepsy can be an alternative medication with a better safety profile. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that binds to the cysteinyl leukotrienes (
) receptors used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and seasonal allergies. Emerging evidence suggests that montelukast's anti-inflammatory effect can help to maintain BBB integrity. The drug has also neuroprotective and anti-oxidative activities to reduce seizure incidence and epilepsy. The present review summarizes the neuropharmacological actions of montelukast in epilepsy with an emphasis on the recent findings associated with
and cell-specific effects.