Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of propranolol in Wistar albino rats by maximal
electroshock (MES)-induced seizure model.
Methods: The study was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC). The study
was conducted in accordance with the CPCSEA guidelines. Healthy, adult Wistar albino
rats of either sex weighing between 180 and 250 g were used for the study. The animals
were procured from the central animal house and were acclimatized in the experimental
laboratory for 7 days. The study consisted of three groups with six animals in each
group. Group I: control (equivalent volume of normal saline, i.p.); group II: diphenylhydantoin
(25 mg/kg BW, i.p.); group III: propranolol (i.p.). Anticonvulsant activity in Wistar
albino rats was assessed by MES model. The data were expressed as median ± SE. Statistical
significance among study groups was carried using Graph Pad Instat Software, by ANOVA
test followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test.
Results: In group II (standard) all animals were protected by absence of THLE when compared
with group I (control). Group II also exhibited significant decline in scores when
compared with control group. Administration of propranolol in groups III also showed
significant percent decline in THLE as well as scores when compared with group I.
Percent decline in THLE and scores in group III were comparable to the group II.
Conclusion: Propranolol exhibits significant anticonvulsant activity in MES model in Wistar albino
rats.
