title: Effect of propranolol and nifedipine on maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice: individually and in combination.
abstract: A comparative effect of propranolol and nifedipine administered individually and in combination at graded dose levels; and that of phenytoin at 30 mg kg-1 on maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure in mice was investigated. Propranolol in doses of 10 mg kg-1 and 20 mg kg-1, and nifedipine in doses of 8 mg kg-1 and 16 mg kg-1 significantly modified MES activity. Propranolol (40 mg kg-1), and a combination of propranolol (20 mg kg-1) and nifedipine (8 mg kg-1), produced antiMES activity, which was comparable to that of phenytoin (30 mg kg-1). In mice treated with propranolol and nifedipine combination, the tonic flexor and tonic extensor phase ratios (F/E ratio) were significantly higher than individual drug responses. Our findings suggest that a combination of propranolol and nifedipine has either synergistic or an additive effect in controlling MES-induced seizures in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Gopalakrishna
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Venkatadri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004597:Electroshock; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*