Abstract:
Objective: To compare in-vivo anticonvulsant effects of gabapentin and verapamil alone and in combination with diazepam
in acute seizure model of mice.
Methodology: This experimental study was conducted in H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for
Chemical and Biological Sciences, Karachi University, from May 2009 to July 2011.
Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) was used in the dose of 90 mg/kg subcutaneously to induce acute seizures in mice. The test drugs Gabapentin
(GBP) and Verapamil (VP) were administered by intraperitoneal route in six doses individually as well as in combination.
The reference drug Diazepam (DZ), and test drugs were administered 40 minutes before PTZ intraperitoneally. R & F was the time calculated from beginning of seizure phase to rearing
and falling of mice. HLTE was the time recorded from rearing and falling to development of generalized tonic clonic phase of
seizure. The cut off time was 40 minutes.
Results: As individual treatment regimens the anti-seizure scores and mortality protection of GB: PTZ as well as VP: PTZ were
significantly inferior to DZ in all seizure patterns, however, combination regimen of GBP:VP:PTZ in the last two higher doses
exhibited highly significant antiseizure effects with 100% mortality protection which were equivalent to reference drug DZ.
Conclusion: The Combination regimen was novel and at higher doses exhibited potent acute anti-seizure activities equal in
efficacy to DZ