Assessment of the anticonvulsant activity of propofol in comparison to diazepam in experimental epileptic status

ABSTRACT

The anticonvulsant properties of diazepam are well established. However, it is still uncertain if propofol has any influence on seizure activity. This investigation was performed to study the anticonvulsant activity of propofol compared with diazepam against experimental model of status of epilepticus induced by pentylenetetrazol [PTZ]. Statistically significant increase in the PTZ-induced seizure threshold was demonstrated for propofol [50 mg/kg] and diazepam [5 mg/kg] doses that produced level II sedation in mice. The increase in the minimum convulsant [MCD] of PTZ [20 mg/kg] was greater in diazepam treated group [250 mg/kg] versus 180 mg/kg in propofol group. EEG recording provided further support for the significant protection produced by the two agents against PTZ seizures. Also, it was observed that a single bolus injection of propofol suppressed paroxysmal electrical activity in PTZ seizures and also clinical manifestation for about 6-8 min. Diazepam presented the reappearance of critical signs and paroxysmal EEG patterns over 15 min observation period. It was concluded that characteristics of propofol make it a putative drug in the treatment of generalized epileptic status. It has a short half-life and can be given IV [properties of an ideal drug]. The risk of precipitation of epileptic seizures warrants consideration especially when planning anesthesia for epileptic patients