The investigation of antiepileptic action of qingyangshen (QYS)--effect of QYS on the concentrations of neuropeptides in rat brain.
The concentrations of central neuropeptides, somatostatin (SS) and substance-P (SP), were determined in the different brain regions of young-aged male rats after a long-term administration of anticonvulsants Qingyangshen (QYS), Diphenylhydantoin (DPH), and Carbamazepine (CBZ). The results were compared with Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure model and normal saline-treated controls. No effects of QYS on the concentrations of SS and SP were found in the rats of four-week or eight-week group. Both of DPH and PTZ increased the SS levels in the midbrain of rats in four-week group. DPH, CBZ, and PTZ also increased the SP levels in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and brain stem of rats in eight-week group. Our present data indicated that the central neuropeptides SS and SP were involved in the processes of epilepsy and antiepilepsy. Since QYS did not influence the contents of SS and SP after a long-term administration, it suggested that the anticonvulsant mechanism of QYS may be different from those of DPH and CBZ, i.e. it may be not due to its effect on the central neuropeptide pathway.
Kuang
P
P
Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital.
Lang
S
S
Liu
J
J
Zhang
F
F
Wu
W
W
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D002220:Carbamazepine; D013004:Somatostatin; D010672:Phenytoin; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole