Convulsant and anticonvulsant effects of bupropion in mice.
This study demonstrated that bupropion hydrochloride, an effective antidepressant and a commonly used smoking cessation aid, dose-dependently caused clonic convulsions in mice, with the CD50 (convulsive dose50, i.e., the dose producing convulsions in 50% of mice) at 119.7 mg kg(-1). An evaluation for anticonvulsant effects showed that bupropion in the doses of 15-30 mg kg(-1) protected against convulsions induced by maximal electroshock with the ED50 (effective dose50, i.e., the dose protected 50% of mice against convulsions) being 19.4 mg kg(-1). Bupropion had no effect on pentylenetetrazole- and kainic acid-induced convulsions. It is possible that the anticonvulsant activity of bupropion may be exploited for use in the treatment of epilepsy but it requires further investigations.
Tutka
Piotr
P
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, PL-20-090 Lublin, Poland. tutka@eskulap.am.lublin.pl
Barczynski
Bartlomiej
B
Wielosz
Marian
M
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004597:Electroshock / Q000009:adverse effects; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000633:toxicity; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015996:Survival Rate
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003292:Convulsants; D016642:Bupropion; D007608:Kainic Acid; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole