Effect of Agmatine on Seizure activity and its interactions with antiepileptic drugs in Rats.

Abstract

• OBJECTIVES:

1) To evaluate antiepileptic activity of Agmatine in rats.

      2)To evaluate antiepileptic action of combination of   subeffective dose of Agmatine with standard   antiepileptic drugs, viz; Diazepam, Lorazepam, Sodium valproate, Phenytoin and Phenobarbitone.

• METHODS: seizures are induced with Supramaximal Electroshock (MES) and Chemically induced Seizure (PTZ) methods.

Agmatine and Antiepileptic Drugsare tested alone and in combination. Supramaximal electroshock was given with the help of Electroconvulsiometer. Electroshock of 150 mA for 0.2 second was given with the help of ear clip. Experimental dose of 65mg/kg of Pentylenetetrazole given intraperitoneally in rats. Electroshock or Chemoshock was given after 30 minutes of drug administration and the observations were noted under following parameters for duration of 30 minutes.

1. Number of animals convulsing 2.Mortality

• Results:The results of this study suggest that combined treatment of agmatine with antiepileptic drug (Phenobarbitone and Sodium Valproate) exerts a much stronger protective effect against electroshock seizure than either drug alone. Agmatine did not show significant potentiation with benzodiazepines and Phenytoin. Combination of agmatine with phenobarbitone, valproate, Phenytoin or Benzodiazepines showed no significant protection against PTZ induced seizures.
• conclusions : study results may suggest its utility in following subsets:

1. Parenteral Agmatine, as premedication to control Electro Convulsive therapy (ECT) induced convulsions.
2. Oral   Agmatine and phenobarbitone in Grand mal epilepsy.
3. Oral Agmatine and Sodium Valproate in mixed (Grand mal as well as Petit mal) epilepsy.