Enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects of diazepam by kava combination

Abstract

The long term use of antiepileptic drugs possesses many unwanted effects; thus, new safe combinations are urgently mandated. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of kava alone or in combination with a synthetic anticonvulsant drug, diazepam (DZ). To this end, female Wistar rats were divided into two subsets, each comprising 6 groups as follows: group (i) received 1% Tween 80 p.o. and served as control, while groups (ii) and (iii) received kava at two dose levels (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.). The remaining three groups received (iv) DZ alone (10 mg/kg p.o.) or kava in combination with DZ (v) (5 mg/kg, p.o.) or (vi) (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Results of the present study revealed that kava increased the maximal electroshock seizure threshold (MEST) and enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam following both acute and chronic treatment. Moreover, neither kava nor its combination with DZ impaired motor co-ordination either acutely or chronically. Furthermore, kava ameliorated both the reduction in locomotor activity as well as changes in liver function tests induced by chronic administration of DZ. Moreover, no elevation was shown in the creatinine concentration vs. control group following chronic administration of kava or DZ either alone or in combination with kava. In conclusion, the present study suggests the possibility of combining a low dose DZ with kava to reduce harmful effects and might be recommended for clinical use in patients chronically treated with this synthetic anticonvulsant drug.

Evaluation of Anti-Convulsive Properties of Aqueous Kava Extract on Zebrafish Using the PTZ-Induced Seizure Model

“…Studies report that kava root extracts exhibit anticonvulsant effect by enhancing binding of (GABA) type A receptors and ligands [26,27]. These effects are suggested to be due to the presence of Kavalactones such as Kavain, desmethoxyyangonin (DMY), and 7,8-dihydromethysticin (DHM).…”

An Updated Review on the Psychoactive, Toxic and Anticancer Properties of Kava

“…Volgin et al [ 81 ] noted that, in the beginning of the 1960s, in a study performed by Meyer, kavalactones were administered orally or intraperitoneally and displayed sedative and anticonvulsant effects in several animals (mice, rats, rabbits, and cats). In this context, Tawfiq et al [ 91 ] investigated the effect of kava alone or in combination with an anticonvulsant drug, diazepam, in female Wistar rats. Kava enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam at 100 and 200 mg/kg and improved the reduction in locomotor activity and liver function tests induced by diazepam.…”

Transient Atomization Modeling and Optimal Design of a Medical Air-Compressing Nebulizer

“…A medical nebulizer is one of the auxiliary instruments to treat respiratory diseases. Regarding the traditional treatments of respiratory diseases such as oral drugs and intravenous injections [3,4], patients absorb medicine slowly and are likely to cause some side effects [5]. Therefore, using a medical nebulizer to supply atomized medicine to the respiratory tract and lungs is a more effective, fast, and safe way to treat the respiratory diseases.…”