Possible Anti-oxidant Effect of Lamotrigine in Nucleus Accumbens of Mice Exposed to Picrotoxin

Abstract

The present study was performed to investigate whether or not lamotrigine (an anti-epileptic drug by sodiumchannel blockade and also increases gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) could increase some anti-oxidant markers in the nucleus accumbens of mice exposed to picrotoxin as a model simulating convulsions in human. The results indicated that the anti-epileptic drug significantly increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes in nucleus accumbens homogenates as well as the contents of superoxide dismutase enzyme in red blood cells (RBCs) lysates in this model of convulsion. In addition the tested drug significantly decreased the level of the lipid peroxidation expressed as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) in nucleus accumbens homogenates. So, the present study showed that the tested antiepileptic drug could potentiate its anticonvulsant activity via a possible anti-oxidant activity.