Itefaq Hussain Qureshi, Shahbana Usman Simjee.
In- Vivo Comparison of Anticonvulsant Effects of Gabapentin and Verapamil alone and in Combination with Diazepam on Acute Seizure Model.
J Bahria Uni Med Dental Coll Jan ;7(2):96-101.

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. The acute anticonvulsive activities of test drugs individually and in combinations were evaluated in-vivo by comparing with anti-seizure effects of reference drug DZ. After administration of PTZ, mice were observed for next 40 minutes for latency to onset of threshold seizures and for the presence or absence of seizure behaviors. The duration of seizures was divided into Rearing and falling (R & F) and Hind limbs tonic extensions (HLTE). 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. Keywords: Antiepileptic drugs, Gabapentin, Verapamil, Diazepam, Status epilepticus

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com