Acute anticonvulsant activity of fluoxetine in wistar albino rats by maximum electroshock induced seizure

Abstract

A seizure is paroxysmal event due to abnormal, excessive, hypersynchronous discharges from an aggregate of central nervous system neurons. Epilepsy describes a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures due to a chronic or underlying process. The objective of this study was to evaluate anti-convulsant effect of Fluoxetine by Maximum Electroshock induced Seizure in Wistar albino rats. Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 150-200 gms were randomly divided into five groups containing five animals in each group. All the drug preparations were administered intra-peritoneally. Group 1 received 0.5 ml/100 gm of Propylene Glycol and served as a control. Group 2 received Sodium Valproate 300 mg/kg and served as standard. Group three, four and five received Fluoxetine 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg respectively. After an interval of 30 minutes they were subjected to Maximal electroshock (MES) stimulation of 150mA for 0.2 seconds through trans-auricular electrodes by using technoelectroconvulsiometer. The duration of different parameters was noted. Statistical method was One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons followed by post- hoc Tukey‟s test for group wise comparisons. Group 4 and 5 which received Fluoxetine 20 and 30 mg/kg significant anticonvulsant action when compared to control group with respect to reduction in time taken for like fore limb flexion, hind limb extension, clonus and stupor. Our study reveals that Fluoxetine elicited an effective protection against MES seizures in Wistar albino rats in the dose of 20 and 30 mg/kg.