Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Effects of Nimodipine and Ascorbic Acid on Pentylenetetrazole- Induced Seizures in Mice

Introduction: the mechanisms underlying the vulnerability of the brain to seizures remains unknown. calcium ions influx and oxidative stress have been implicated in a variety of acute and chronic epileptogenic conditions. the present study was aimed at investigating the effects of nimodipine and ascorbic acid (vitamin c) alone and in combination on pentylenetetrazole (ptz) - induced seizures in mice.material and methods: the animals received nimodipine (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 mg/kg, i.p.), ascorbic acid (30, 100, 300 mg/kg, i.p.) alone and in combination with sodium valproate (100 mg/kg, i.p.), 15 and 30min prior to intra-peritonral injection of ptz (60 mg/kg) and the acute seizure parameters such as seizure latency, duration and protection percent were studied in each group.results: ascorbic acid alone did not have any effects on the seizure parameters and the number of mice convulsing ( p>0.05). nimodipine in 2 mg/kg dose had full protective effect on ptz- induced seizure parameters, and in lesser doses it exerted partial protective effects. the combination of ascorbic acid (300 mg/kg) with nimodipine (1.5 mg/kg) or sodium valproate had a significant synergistic protective effect against ptz- induce seizures in comparison with controls( p<0.001).conclusion: ascorbic acid potentiates the anticonvulsive effects of nimodipine on ptz-induced seizure in mice