Effect of clonazepam and diazepam on the level of some amino acids in the rat brain

ABSTRACT

The effect of two benzodiazepine drugs clonazepam and diazepam on gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] and L-glutamic acid contents of the whole rat brain were studied. Clonazepam in a single dose [0.1 mg/kg body weight] produced a significant increase in the level of GABA and L-glutamic acid. Repeated injections of clonazepam for 10 days [0.1 mg/kg body weight] produced a significant increase in GABA and insignificant change in L-glutamic acid content. On the other hand a single dose of diazepam, [5 mg/kg body weight] produced a significant decrease in GABA and L-glutamic acid levels. Repeated injections of diazepam [5 and 10 mg/kg body weight] for ten days produced insignificant effect on both amino acids