Anticonvulsive activity of duloxetine: A new choice for the epileptic patients with depression

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2019 May;32(3):997-1003.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiepileptic effects of duloxetine in the maximal electroshock test and convulsions induced by four compounds: Pentylenetetrazole, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, thiosemicarbazide, and bicuculline. Duloxetine exhibited moderate anticonvulsive activity with an ED50 (median effective dose) of 48.21 mg/kg in the maximal electroshock test in mice. The anticonvulsive action of duloxetine was also confirmed in chemical-induced seizure tests, where this drug decreased tonic convulsions. Single administration of duloxetine (6.25-25 mg/kg) significantly increased the anticonvulsant effects of valproate, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine in the maximal electroshock test. Furthermore, pretreatment with thiosemicarbazide (an inhibitor of GABA synthesis enzyme) significantly increased the ED50 of duloxetine, suggesting the GABAergic system may contribute to the anticonvulsive action of duloxetine. These results support the use of duloxetine in the treatment of coexisting depression and epilepsy.

MeSH terms

  • 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology*
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Carbamazepine / pharmacology
  • Depression / drug therapy
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Drug Synergism
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride / administration & dosage
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride / adverse effects
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride / pharmacology*
  • Electroshock / adverse effects
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Fenclonine / pharmacology
  • GABA Agents / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology
  • Oxcarbazepine / pharmacology
  • Seizures / chemically induced
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Semicarbazides / pharmacology
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • GABA Agents
  • Semicarbazides
  • Carbamazepine
  • thiosemicarbazide
  • Valproic Acid
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride
  • 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid
  • Fenclonine
  • Oxcarbazepine