ABSTRACT
Background: Epilepsy is an abnormal excessive electric neuronal activity and always represents by recurrent seizures. There is positive feedback cycle between epileptogenesis and brain inflammation. It has been proved that an inflammatory enzyme, cyclooxygenase (COX) (especially isoform-2, a constitutive enzyme), expressed in some important parts of the central nervous system and is responsible to induced inflammation locally and having seizurogenic property. Aim and Objective: The goal of this study was to see if celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) could reduce the maximal electroshock seizure (MES)-induced seizures in mice. Materials and Methods: Celecoxib injected intraperitoneally in two different doses 5 mg/kgb/w and 10 mg/kg b/w, in albino Swiss mice and in two different phases. MES was elicited and length of different phases was noted. Length of tonic hindlimb extension was considered as indicator of anti-epileptic activity. Results: Celecoxib, when given intraperitoneally, exert significant reduction in the duration of THLE. This action of celecoxib strongly suggests the involvement of inflammation in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Conclusion: The findings are suggestive of the therapeutic significance of celecoxib, as a future antiepileptic agent for seizure management.
ABSTRACT
Background: To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of Nimodipine alone and in combination with Phenytoin, in MES induced seizures.Methods: The study was conducted in mice and MES seizure was induced by Techno electroconvulsometer. In first part of study, animals were treated with Nimodipine (20mg/kg i.p. and 40mg/kg i.p.) and Phenytoin (0.5 mg/100g i.p. and 1.0mg/100g i.p.), MES was induced and durations of various phases were noted. Duration of Tonic hind limb extension (THLE) was taken as index for antiepileptic activity. In second part, the animals were treated with combination of sub effective doses of Nimodipine (20mg/kg i.p.) and Phenytoin (0.5mg/100g i.p.), MES was induced and durations of various phases were noted.Results: Nimodipine produced significant antiepileptic activity, in dose dependent manner. Phenytoin produced significant antiepileptic effect in dose of 1.0mg/100g but failed to produce any such effect in dose of 0.5mg/100g, when administered alone. But when sub effective doses.Of Nimodipine and Phenytoin were combined, a synergistic effect was seen.Conclusions: Nimodipine possess significant antiepileptic activity, alone, as well as it potentiates the antiepileptic effect of Phenytoin, suggesting the novel application of already proven safe and efficacious calcium channel blockers.