Meloxicam, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, displays anticonvulsive effects in pentylenetetrazoleinduced acute seizures in mice through GABA and glutamate mediated mechanism

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the possible anticonvulsive effect of the selective COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic seizures in mice and to examine its possible role on inhibition and excitation balance in the brain. Method: 30 BALB-c albino mice (16-18 weeks old) weighing 30-33 gr were used. Animals were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6 for each group). Group 1: control, group 2: received saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.) 30 minutes before PTZ (60 mg/kg i.p.) administration, group 3: received saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.) 30 minutes after PTZ (60 mg/kg i.p.) injection, group 4: received 60 mg/kg meloxicam i.p., 30 minutes before PTZ (60 mg/kg i.p.) administration. Group 5: received meloxicam (60 mg/kg i.p.) 30 minutes after PTZ injection (60 mg/kg, i.p.). The animals were observed for 30 minutes and the seizure stages and first myoclonic jerk times (FMJ) were recorded. After 24 hours, brain tissues were removed and the cortex and hippocampus were separated for biochemical assessments. ELISA method was used to measure GABA and glutamate levels. Results: Administration of meloxicam before PTZ induced seizure, reduced seizure stages and prolonged FMJ duration (p