Abstract
Retigabine is a new antiepileptic drug. Its mechanism of action involves activation of voltage gated potassium channel (Kv7, KCNQ). Epilepsy is a disease of chronic nature and may be associated with other diseases that need therapy with other drugs as NSAIDs like diclofenac. Purpose. The current work is designed to study the spectrum of retigabine and diclofenac, on acute seizures in albino mice; also, it investigated the possible interactions between retigabine and diclofenac regarding their anticonvulsant activities and the role of KCNQ channel. Method. Convulsions were induced in mice using the picrotoxin model, the pilocarpine-induced-status epilepticus model, and lastly the maximal electroshock model. Results. The study revealed that combined administration of retigabine and diclofenac significantly increased percentage of protection from convulsions induced by picrotoxin model and MES test. Furthermore, the combination significantly prolonged the mean latency period of convulsion in pilocarpine-induced sustained epilepsy model. Conclusion. we concluded that retigabine has a broad spectrum antiepileptic effect and diclofenac potentiated retigabine action as an opener of potassium (KCNQ2/3) channels.
Highlights
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated seizure, caused by excessive discharge of neurons that affect 0.5-1% of population [9]
The present study investigated the possible interactions between retigabine and diclofenac regarding their anticonvulsant activities
Diclofenac (10mg/kg/i.p.) was the medium dose selected for interaction (Figure 2)
Summary
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated seizure, caused by excessive discharge of neurons that affect 0.5-1% of population [9]. Traditional antiepileptic drugs have effect on 60-70% of the population with epilepsy. Other patients with epilepsy do not respond well to the classical antiepileptic drugs [7]. Retigabine is a new antiepileptic drug approved by the European Medicines Agency in January 2011. Sills et al (2000) showed that retigabine has been found to increase GABA synthesis in rat brain and enhance the chloride current. It showed a decrease in the concentrations of glutamine and glutamate in rat brain, which may be another mechanism of action
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
