Publication:

Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of ACE inhibitors (imidapril and quinapril) in experimentally induced animal models of epilepsy

Background Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate seizures, may be associated with emotional and cognitive dysfunction. Objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the anticonvulsant activity of different doses of imidapril and quinapril in animal models of epilepsy.

Methods Swiss albino mice weighing around 25-30g of either sex were divided into 6 groups: control (R.O-10 ml/kg), standard-sodium valproate (40 mg/kg), Q1-quinapril (1.5 mg/kg), Q2-quinapril (10.4 mg/kg), I1-imidapril (0.65mg/kg) and I2-imidapril (2.6 mg/kg). 1 hour after administration of control, test and standard drugs (orally) test was conducted. Convulsions were induced by administering PTZ (70 mg/kg-i.p.) in PTZ model. Seizure latency was the parameter recorded. In MES model, maximal seizures were evoked by supra maximal electroshock stimulation of 50 mA, 50 HZ for 0.2 seconds by using conventional electro convulsion meter. Suppression of tonic hind limb extension was taken as measure of efficacy.

Results The results were analysed by one-way-ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. In MES test, dose dependently quinapril and imidapril significantly reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in comparison to control (p<0.05) percentage inhibition of seizures by I2 is 58.1%, I1-38.6%, Q2-19.7% and Q1-12.2% with maximum inhibition of seizure produced by I2 in comparison to control in MES test. In PTZ test, dose dependently quinapril and imidapril produced significant increase in seizure latency (p<0.05). Percentage inhibition of seizures by I2-65.8%, I1-59.3%, Q2-50.9% and Q1-33.5% in comparison to control.

Conclusions Quinapril and imidapril in a dose dependent manner showed increase in antiepileptic activity, imidapril has better antiepileptic activity when compared to quinapril.