Ultra-sensitive fluorescent detection of strychnine based on carbon dot self-assembled gold nanocage sensing probe

The ultra-sensitive detection of strychnine is crucial to provide powerful evidence in strychnine poisoning cases. In this study, a novel fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) self-assembled gold nanocage (AuNCs) composite is synthesized for the ultra-sensitive detection of strychnine using molecularly imprinted polymer sensing technology (MIPs-CDs@AuNCs). With strong loading and delivery capability of AuNCs, the CDs could be loaded into AuNCs, where the anisotropy of CDs could significantly decrease and the fluorescence of the MIPs-CDs@AuNCs probe gained lower relative standard deviation (RSD). Moreover, the fluorescence response of MIPs-CDs@AuNCs to target strychnine was observed to be more significant than MIPs-CDs without gold nanocages. Under optimal conditions, the developed MIPs-CDs@AuNCs fluorescence strategy showed good linear relationship at the concentration of strychnine from 3 ng mL-1 to 200 ng mL-1 with the limit of detection as low as 1 ng mL-1. Besides, real blood samples were analyzed without complex pre-preparation procedure to investigate the performance of the proposed molecularly imprinted fluorescence probe, and satisfactory results were obtained with absolute deviations between -1.16 ng mL-1 and 1.28 ng mL-1, which exhibited a great potential for the detection of strychnine in health care work.

Chemical constituents, pharmacological action, antitumor application, and toxicity of Strychnine Semen from Strychnons pierriana A.W.Hill.: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried and mature seeds of Strychnons pierriana A.W.Hill. have been called Strychnine Semen(S. Semen). It have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for nearly 400 years. In recent decades, scholars at home and abroad have widely used S. Semen in the treatment of tumor diseases, showing good anti-tumor effects. In this paper, the modern research achievements of S. Semen are reviewed, including traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In recent years, the research on S. Semen has increased gradually, especially the research on its anti-tumor. This paper not only reviewed the traditional uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of S. Semen, but also comprehensively listed the mechanisms of Strychnos in the treatment of different tumors, providing a review for further research and development of Strychnos resources.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature on Fuzi was performed using several resources, namely classic books on Chinese herbal medicine and various scientific databases, such as PubMed, the Web of Science, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated databases.

RESULTS

The main constituents of S. Semen include alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, and their glycosides. Modern studies have proved that S. Semen has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-thrombotic, myocardial cell protection, immune regulation, nerve excitation, and anti-tumor effects. Among them, the anti-tumor effect has been the focus of research in recent years. S. Semen have a certain therapeutic effect on many kinds of tumors, such as liver cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer in the digestive system, breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer in the reproductive system, myeloma and leukemia in the blood system, and those in the nervous system and the immune system.

CONCLUSION

Strychnine has an inhibitory effect on a variety of tumors. However, modern studies of strychnine are incomplete, and more in-depth studies are needed on its stronger bioactive constituents and potential pharmacological effects. The antitumor effect of Strychnine is worth further exploration.

Taking the bait: Strychnine poisoning

A 48-year-old male intentionally ingested "gopher killer" containing strychnine as a, suicide attempt. He rapidly developed generalized muscle spasms with opisthotonos followed by cardiovascular collapse. He was resuscitated, treated with 24 h of, neuromuscular paralysis, and was discharged on hospital day 10 without sequelae. A blood strychnine concentration obtained five hours post ingestion was 2.2 mg/L. Strychnine poisoning is exceedingly rare in the modern United States and this report contains a video recording of the classic exam findings.

A cluster of acute thebaine poisonings from non-food grade poppy seeds in the Australian food supply

INTRODUCTION

Poppy seed tea is used for its opioid effects and contains multiple opium alkaloids, including morphine, codeine, papaverine, and thebaine. Animal studies indicate thebaine has strychnine-like properties, but there is limited literature describing human thebaine poisoning. We describe a cluster of acute thebaine poisoning in people ingesting tea made using poppy seeds with high thebaine content that entered the Australian food supply chain.

METHODS

This is an observational study of patients poisoned after drinking poppy seed tea. Cases were identified by three prospective toxicovigilance systems: the Emerging Drug Network of Australia collaboration, the New South Wales Prescription, Recreational and Illicit Substance Evaluation program, and the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia Victoria study. We report characteristics of clinical toxicity in cases with reported ingestion of poppy seed tea and analytical confirmation of thebaine exposure.

RESULTS

Forty cases presenting with multi-system toxicity following poppy seed tea ingestion were identified across seven Australian states/territories from November 2022 to January 2023. Blood testing in 23 cases confirmed high thebaine concentrations. All 23 were male (median age 35, range 16-71 years). All patients experienced muscle spasms. Rigidity was described in nine, convulsions in six, while rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and metabolic acidosis occurred in five patients. There were two cardiac arrests. The thebaine median admission blood concentration was 1.6 mg/L, with a range of 0.1-5.6 mg/L, and was the dominant opium alkaloid in all samples. Convulsions, acute kidney injury, metabolic acidosis, and cardiac arrest were associated with increasing median thebaine concentrations. Four patients were managed in the Intensive Care Unit, with two receiving continuous kidney replacement therapy (one also received intermittent haemodialysis) for kidney injury. There was one death.

CONCLUSIONS

Thebaine toxicity, like strychnine poisoning, resulted in neuromuscular excitation characterized by muscle spasm, rigidity, and convulsions. Severe toxicity, including acute kidney injury, metabolic acidosis, and cardiac arrest, appears dose-dependent.

Modulation of narrow-field amacrine cells on light-evoked spike responses and receptive fields of retinal ganglion cells

By using multi-electrode array (MEA) recording technique in conjunction with white-noise checkerboard stimuli and reverse correlation methods, we studied modulatory actions of glycinergic narrow-field amacrine cells (NFACs) on spatiotemporal profiles of five functional groups of ganglion cells (GCs) in dark-adapted mouse retinas. We found that application of 2 µM strychnine significantly altered light-evoked spike rates of three groups of GCs. It also decreased receptive field center radii of all five groups of GC by a mean value of 11%, and shifted the GC receptive field (RF) centers of all GCs and the mean shift distances for the sustained GCs are significantly longer than the transient GCs. On the other hand, strychnine did not affect temporal profiles of the GC center responses, as it did not alter the time-to-peak or the biphasic index of the spike triggered average (STA) functions of GC RF centers. Strychnine also exerts limited actions on RF surrounds of most GCs, except that it moderately weakens the antagonistic surround of sustained OFF GCs and strengthens the antagonistic surround of the ON/OFF GCs, possibly through serial connections between NFACs and GABAergic wide-field amacrine cells (WFACs). Using the Sum of Separable Subfilter (SoSS) model and singular value decomposition method, we decomposed GCs' STAs into five space-time separable subfilters, studied the observation rates of each subfilter in the five functional groups of GCs and determined NFAC-dependent and -independent synaptic circuitries that mediate center and surround responses of various groups of mouse retina retinal ganglion cells.

HPLC-MS/MS analysis of primary alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of "Nux vomica - Glycyrrhiza glabra decoction": A pharmacokinetic study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Decoction is the most common form of administering traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During the preparation of decoction, the high temperature and complex chemical environment result in the formation of complex and multiple phases. The differences in drug components in different phases induce gastrointestinal absorption and physiological response. Nux vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica L) is a typical toxic TCM used in China, with remarkable pharmacological activity. In order to reduce its toxicity, nux vomica (NV) is often decocted with Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) in clinic, and the detoxification mechanism has always been the focus of research interest. Most studies investigated the compatibility of NV-GG, but the in vivo behavior of individual constituents based on phase state has yet to be elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of typical toxic components in different phase states of "NV-GG decoction" in rat plasma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sediment, suspension, colloid and true solution of "NV-GG decoction" was obtained via physical methods. The main components in different phase states were analyzed via reliable UFLC-Q-TOF-MS high-resolution mass spectrometry. A rapid and accurate HPLC-qqq-MS/MS method was established and validated for accurate determination of brucine and strychnine levels in plasma, followed by pharmacokinetic evaluation of different phase states of "NV-GG decoction" in rats. Kinetex F5 100A (50 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.6 μm) column was used for chromatographic separation. Aqueous solution containing acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid was used as the mobile phase, followed by gradient elution at 0.4 mL/min. Mass spectra were detected by electrospray ionization (ESI) multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive ion mode.

RESULTS

Fifteen different alkaloids were detected in different phase states of "NV-GG decoction". Strychnine and brucine, which are toxic components with high content, were selected for quantitative analysis. The established UPLC-qqq-MS/MS method is accurate and reliable with a good linearity (R² > 0.99) in the respective concentration range, satisfying the quantitative requirements. The pharmacokinetic parameters of different phase states of rats differed significantly after gavage. The deposition phase was the most prominent. The index components showed higher C_max, AUC₀ and T_max, while the T_1/2, MRT, V/F and CL/F were the smallest, with a relatively slow plasma clearance rate in rats. The true solution group showed the lowest T_max and the fastest absorption.

CONCLUSION

This method has been successfully utilized to study the pharmacokinetics of different phase states of "NV-GG decoction". Among the four phases, the deposition phase contributed to a large proportion of the in vivo kinetic behavior similar to that of sustained-release preparations, with slow absorption of toxic components and prolonged peak time. The pharmacokinetic parameters and plasma concentration-time curves of each phase can be used to study toxicity reduction of NV-GG and increase its biocompatibility.

SALDI Substrate-Based FeNi Magnetic Alloy Nanoparticles for Forensic Analysis of Poisons in Human Serum

In this study, FeNi magnetic alloy nanoparticles (MANPs) were employed for the forensic analysis of four poisons—dimethametryn, napropamide, thiodicarb, and strychnine—using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS). FeNi MANPs were prepared via coprecipitation using two reducing agents, sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and hydrazine monohydrate (N2H4·H2O), to optimize the prepared MANPs and investigate their effect on the performance of SALDI-MS analysis. Thereafter, SALDI-MS analysis was carried out for the detection of three pesticides and a rodenticide. The prepared substrate offered sensitive detection of the targeted analytes with LOD values of 1 ng/mL, 100 pg/mL, 10 ng/mL, and 200 ng/mL for dimethametryn, napropamide, thiodicarb, and strychnine, respectively. The relative standard deviation (%RSD) values were in the range of 2.30–13.97% for the pesticides and 15–23.81% for strychnine, demonstrating the good spot-to-spot reproducibility of the FeNi substrate. Finally, the MANPs were successfully employed in the analysis of poison-spiked blood serum using a minute quantity of the sample with an LOD of 700 ng/mL dimethametryn and napropamide, 800 ng/mL thiodicarb, and 500 ng/mL strychnine. This study has great potential regarding the analysis of several poisons that may be found in human serum, which is significant in cases of self-harm.

[Pharmacokinetic behavior and brain tissue distribution of paeoniflorin combined with normal and toxic doses of strychnine in rats after percutaneous administration]

This study aims to establish a rapid and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneously determining the content of strychnine and paeoniflorin in plasma and brain tissue of rats, and compare the pharmacokinetic behavior and brain tissue distribution of paeoniflorin combined with normal and toxic doses of strychnine in rats after percutaneous administration. Compared with those in the toxic-dose strychnine group, the AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞), and C_(max) of strychnine decreased by 51.51%, 45.68%, and 46.03%, respectively(P<0.01), and the corresponding values of paeoniflorin increased by 91.41%, 102.31%, and 169.32%, respectively(P<0.01), in the compatibility group. Compared with the normal-dose strychnine group, the compatibility group showed insignificantly decreased C_(max), AUC_(0-t), and AUC_(0-∞) of strychnine, increased C_(max) and T_(max) of paeoniflorin(P<0.01), 66.88% increase in AUC_(0-t), and 70.55% increase in AUC_(0-∞) of paeoniflorin. In addition, the brain tissue concentration of strychnine decreased and that of paeoniflorin increased after compatibility. The combination of paeoniflorin with normal dose and toxic dose of strychnine can inhibit the percutaneous absorption of strychnine, and greatly promote the percutaneous penetration of paeoniflorin, whereas the interaction mechanism remains to be explored. The UPLC-MS/MS method established in this study is easy to operate and has good precision. It is suitable for in vivo study of pharmacokinetic behavior and brain tissue distribution of paeoniflorin and strychnine after percutaneous administration in rats, which provides reference for the safe and rational clinical use of strychnine and the combined use of drugs, and lays a solid foundation for the development of external preparations containing Strychni Semen.

Promising anticonvulsant N-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl) methyl]-2-(2,4-dioxo-1H-quinazolin-3-yl) acetamide: dose-dependent study and evaluation of anticonvulsant action spectrum in vivo and in silico

The anticonvulsant spectrum of the original promising anticonvulsant N-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl) methyl]-2-(2,4-dioxo-1H-quinazolin-3-yl) acetamide was studied. The compound had a pronounced anticonvulsant effect, significantly reducing the mortality of mice in models of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole, picrotoxin, strychnine, and caffeine. In the thiosemicarbazideinduced seizure model, the test compound did not reduce mortality. The obtained results indicated that the mechanism of anticonvulsant action involved GABA-ergic (effective in models of pentylenetetrazole and picrotoxin-induced seizures), glycinergic (efficiency in the strychnine model of paroxysms), and adenosinergic (effectiveness in the model of caffeine induced seizures). Molecular docking of a promising anticonvulsant to anticonvulsant biotargets follow the mechanisms of chemo-induced seizures, namely GABA, glycine, and adenosine receptors type A2A, GABAAT, and BCAT enzymes. The conformity between in vivo and in silico studies results was revealed.

Digoxin at sub-cardiotonic dose modulates the anticonvulsive potential of valproate, levetiracetam and topiramate in experimental primary generalized seizures

The prevalence of epilepsy in the world population together with a high percentage of patients resistant to existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) stimulates the constant search for new approaches to the treatment of the disease. Previously a significant anticonvulsant potential of cardiac glycoside digoxin has been verified by enhancing a weak activity of AEDs in low doses under screening models of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock. The aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of digoxin at a sub-cardiotonic dose on the anticonvulsant activity of valproate, levetiracetam, and topiramate in models of primary generalized seizures with different neurochemical mechanisms. A total of 264 random-bred male albino mice have been used. AEDs were administered 30 min before seizure induction once intragastrically at conditionally effective (ED50) and sub-effective (½ ED50) doses: sodium valproate and topiramate - at doses of 300 and 150 mg/kg; levetiracetam - at doses of 100 and 50 mg/kg. Digoxin was administered once subcutaneously at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg body weight (1/10 LD50) 10-15 min before seizure induction. Picrotoxin (aqueous solution 2.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously), thiosemicarbazide (aqueous solution 25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), strychnine (aqueous solution 1.2 mg/kg, subcutaneously), camphor (oil solution 1000 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) have been used as convulsive agents for seizure induction. It was found that under the conditions of primary generalized seizures induced by picrotoxin, thiosemicarbazide, strychnine, and camphor, digoxin not only shows its own strong anticonvulsant activity but also significantly enhances the anticonvulsant potential of classical AEDs sodium valproate, levetiracetam, and topiramate. The obtained results substantiate the expediency of further in-depth study of digoxin as an anticonvulsant drug, in particular, the in-depth study of neurochemical mechanisms of its action.

Dose dependent anticonvulsant activity of Morus nigra in strychnine induced seizures model

Herbal medicines have gained tremendous surge of interest in recent years. M. nigra leaves are a rich source of phenolics which are well-known for their antioxidant property. Morus nigra popularly known as black mulberry is considered to be the most significant species of genus Morus. This study was designed to evaluate its activity on seizure model in different doses. Five groups were made comprising of n=10 animals in each group respectively. Group I was on distilled water, Group II was administered with reference drug diazepam and Group III, IV and V were on 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg dose of Morus nigra for 15 days prior to experiment. On day 16th all animals were administered with strychnine after 30 minutes of respective treatments and three parameters were recorded i.e. duration, frequency and onset of seizures. M. nigra treatment showed significant seizure protection as noted by delayed latency of seizures (P<0.05), decrease in frequency and jerk's duration (P<0.05) in comparison to control and reference standard. Most significant (P<0.05) anticonvulsant effects were observed with 500mg/kg dose. Anticonvulsant activity of M. nigra could be due to potentiation of both Gabaergic and glycinergic activities. Antiepileptic potential of extract could also be amplified due to its antioxidant activity. This could serve as a non-pharmacological treatment for seizure management.

Negligible Nux Vomica: Homeopathic Nux Vomica remedies don't contain strychnine?

INTRODUCTION

The St. Ignatius bean of the Strychnos ignatii tree and Nux Vomica homeopathic products presumably could contain the toxic alkaloids strychnine and brucine. This study aimed to determine the amount of these toxic alkaloids in some commercially available Nux Vomica products and the St. Ignatius bean and to determine if overdose of these products could result in clinically significant toxicity.

METHODS

Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, various formulations of Nux Vomica products and St. Ignatius beans were analyzed for strychnine, and brucine with detection limits set at 0.1 ng/g.

RESULTS

None of the analyzed Nux Vomica products contained any detectable strychnine or brucine, while the expected strychnine dose from a St. Ignatius bean would be < 0.001 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study reveals that the amount of strychnine in homeopathic Nux Vomica products or St. Ignatius beans are not likely to result in clinically significant strychnine toxicity.

Sarcophine and (7S, 8R)-dihydroxydeepoxysarcophine from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum as in vitro and in vivo modulators of glycine receptors

The inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR) is a key mediator of synaptic signalling in spinal cord, brain stem, and higher centres of the central nervous system. We examined the glycinergic activity of sarcophine (SN), a marine terpenoid known for its various biological activities, and its trans-diol derivative (7S, 8R)-dihydroxy-deepoxysarcophine (DSN). SN was isolated from the Red Sea soft coral Sacrophyton glaucum, DSN was semisynthesized by hydrolysis of the epoxide ring. In cytotoxicity tests against HEK293 cells, SN and DSN had LD₅₀ values of 29.3 ± 3.0 mM and 123.5 ± 13.0 mM, respectively. Both compounds were tested against recombinant human α1 glycine receptors in HEK293 cells using whole-cell recording techniques. Both, SN and DSN were shown for the first time to be inhibitors of recombinant glycine receptors, with K_Ivalues of 2.1 ± 0.3 μM for SN, and 109 ± 9 μM for DSN. Receptor inhibition was also studied in vivo in a mouse model of strychnine toxicity. Surprisingly, in mouse experiments strychnine inhibition was not augmented by either terpenoid. While DSN had no significant effect on strychnine toxicity, SN even delayed strychnine effects. This could be accounted for by assuming that strychnine and sarcophine derivatives compete for the same binding site on the receptor, so the less toxic sarcophine can prevent strychnine from binding. The combination of modulatory activity and low level of toxicity makes sarcophines attractive structures for novel glycinergic drugs.

Neuro-pharmacological evaluation of anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity of Cocculus laurifolius leaves in wistar rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity of Cocculus laurifolius D.C leaves in albino wistar rats against strychnine induced convulsions. Initially the extract was investigated for acute oral toxicity testing in order to examine any signs of toxicity and mortality. For anticonvulsant activity, the ethanolic extract was evaluated at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. against strychnine induced convulsions model, at 1, 7, 15 and 30th day of treatment. Meanwhile, the neuroprotective effect of the extract was investigated via histopathological assessment. Cocculus laurifolius (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited anticonvulsant activity as indicated by significant delay in the onset of convulsions and time to death after strychnine induced convulsions. Similarly, significant reduction in the duration of convulsions and percentage of mortality was observed by ethanolic extract (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) at 1, 7, 15 and 30th day of test sessions. Furthermore, Cocculus laurifolius leaves (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) also exhibited neuroprotective effect with considerable preserved neuronal structures and significant decrease in neuronal apoptosis, in comparison with control. The results obtained from the present study indicate that ethanolic extract of Cocculus laurifolius leaves possess potential anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effect against strychnine induced convulsions. Therefore, it can be concluded that Cocculus laurifolius leaves may be a valuable in management of epilepsy, however further studies are required on large number of animals to confirm these findings.

Anti-epileptic activity of Nelumbo nucifera fruit

Epilepsy is the most commonly encountered neurological disorder affecting around 70 million people worldwide, out of which approximately 80% belongs to developing countries. Several shortcomings appeared with the use of conventional antiepileptic agents like, inadequate seizure control, side effects and cost which limit their use. Thus extensive studies are necessary to investigate the pharmacological effects of plants, which would facilitate discovery of novel drugs from herbal source permitting their use to benefit mankind. Hence current study was focused to evaluate the anti-epileptic potential of Nelumbo nucifera fruit in order to ascertain its therapeutic potential. Anti-epileptic activity was assessed using strychnine induced seizure model in 35 male Wister rats divided in five groups i.e. control, reference and 3 test groups. Each group was composed of 7 animals and was given 2% gum tragacanth (control), diazepam 1 mg/kg PO (reference) and N. nucifera fruit 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg PO (test) OD for 15 days. N. nucifera fruit extract at 200 mg/kg exhibited extremely noteworthy delay in the inception of convulsions as compared to control however duration of convulsions was increased significantly but intensity of convulsions was reduced resulting in better survival rate i.e. 42.85% which was comparable to diazepam. Therefore it can be concluded that N. nucifera fruit may be valuable in managing epilepsy but further studies are required on large number of animals to confirm these findings.

Antiseizure Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Seizures Induced with Pentylenetetrazole, 4-Aminopyridine and Strychnine in Wistar Rats

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a cheap and effective alternative therapy for most epilepsy. There are paucity of experimental data in Nigeria on the usefulness of KD in epilepsy models. This is likely to be responsible for the poor clinical acceptability of the diet in the country. This study therefore aimed at providing experimental data on usefulness of KD on seizure models.  The study used 64 Wistar rats that were divided into two dietary groups [normal diet (ND) and ketogenic diet (KD)]. Animal in each group were fed for 35days. Medium chain triglyceride ketogenic diet (MCT-KD) was used and it consisted of 15% carbohydrate in normal rat chow long with 5ml sunflower oil (25% (v/w). The normal diet was the usual rat chow. Seizures were induced with one of Pentelyntetrazole (PTZ), 4-Aminopyridine (AP) and Strychnine (STR). Fasting glucose, ketosis level and serum chemistry were determined and seizure parameters recorded. Serum ketosis was significantly higher in MCT-KD-fed rats (12.7 ±2.6) than ND-fed (5.17±0.86) rats. Fasting blood glucose was higher in ND-fed rats (5.3±0.9mMol/l) than in MCT-KD fed rats (5.1±0.5mMol/l) with p=0.9. Seizure latency was significantly prolonged in ND-fed compared with MCT-KD fed rats after PTZ-induced seizures (61±9sec vs 570±34sec) and AP-induced seizures (49±11sec vs 483±41sec). The difference after Str-induced seizure (51±7 vs 62±8 sec) was not significan. The differences in seizure duration between ND-fed and MCT-KD fed rats with PTZ (4296±77sec vs 366±46sec) and with AP (5238±102sec vs 480±67sec) were significant (p<0.05), but not with STR (3841±94sec vs 3510±89sec) respectively. The mean serum Na+ was significantly higher in MCT-KD fed (141.7±2.1mMol/l) than ND-fed rats (137±2.3mMol/l). There was no significant difference in mean values of other serum electrolytes between the MCT-KD fed and ND-fed animals. MCT-KD caused increase resistance to PTZ-and AP-induced seizures, but has no effect on STR-induced seizures. This antiseizure property is probably mediated through GABAergic receptors (PTZ effect) and blockade of membrane bound KATP channels (AP effect) with some enhancement by serum ketosis.

Novel and current rodenticides for pocket gopher Thomomys spp. management in vineyards: what works?

BACKGROUND

Rodenticides are often included as part of an integrated pest management approach for managing pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.) given that they are relatively quick and inexpensive to apply. Strychnine has historically been the most effective toxicant for pocket gophers, but its use is currently limited in the United States; alternative registered toxicants have not proven effective. Recent research with baits containing cholecalciferol plus anticoagulant toxicants proved effective against pocket gophers in a lab setting. Therefore, we established a field study to compare cholecalciferol plus anticoagulant combinations [0.03% cholecalciferol plus 0.005% diphacinone (C + D), 0.015% cholecalciferol plus 0.0025% brodifacoum (C + B1), 0.03% cholecalciferol plus 0.0025% brodifacoum (C + B2)] with strychnine (0.5%) for pocket gopher management.

RESULTS

Strychnine treatments resulted in 100% efficacy after two treatment periods. Both C + D and C + B2 resulted in efficacy significantly greater than 70% after two treatment periods (83 and 75% respectively). Efficacy from C + B1 (85%) was not significantly greater than 70%, but did yield high overall efficacy as well.

CONCLUSION

Although strychnine remains the most effective rodenticide for pocket gopher control, the cholecalciferol plus anticoagulant baits tested would be a good alternative when strychnine is unavailable. C + D may be the best option given that it uses a first-generation anticoagulant as the synergist. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Strychnine Sulfate on Locomotor Activity

The effect of strychnine sulfate upon spontaneous locomotor activity in an open field was determined for 20 naive male Wistar rats. The experimental Ss were injected ip with 1.0 cc/kg of a 01% solution of strychnine sulfate in normal saline and the control Ss received a similar injection of 1.0 cc/kg of normal saline. All Ss were given 2 trials 7 days apart in the open field, with the injections preceding the second trial. The behavioral change from Trial 1 to Trial 2 for the control group was compared with that for the experimental group. Strychnine sulfate significantly reduced spontaneous locomotor activity in rats. A significant correlation was found between scores on the first and second trials of the experimental Ss. It was suggested that the concept of “orienting-exploratory behavior” could account for reduced locomotor activity.

[Study on Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Different Processing Products of Strychnos nux-vomica Seeds]

OBJECTIVE

To study the differences of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects between oil,sand and vinegar processing Strychnos nux-vomica seeds.

METHODS

Mouse auricular swelling and writhing test and mice hot water tail flick latency effect method were used to study and compare the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of different processing products of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds.

RESULTS

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of vinegar processing Strychnos nux-vomica seeds was better than that of oil and sand processing products.

CONCLUSION

This study can provide theoretical basis for the optimization of processing technology of reducing toxicity and enhancing effects of processed Strychnos nux-vomica seeds.

Hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane isolated from the essential oil of Dennettia tripetala in mice

This study investigated the hypnotic, anti-convulsant and anxiolytic effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (BPNE) obtained from the oil of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) and established its mechanism of action. The essential oil (EO) from the leaf, fruit and seed was obtained by hydrodistillation, followed by isolation of BPNE purified to 99.2% by accelerated gradient chromatography on silica, and identified by NMR and GC-MS. The pure BPNE and EO of the dried seed (93.6%) were comparatively evaluated for hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects in mice. The acute toxicity of BPNE was determined and the LD50 was 490 mg/kg, intrapritonealy. The hypnotic activities of the EO and BPNE (50-400 mg/kg, i.p.) were assessed by loss of righting reflex, while sodium pentobarbitone (PBS) and diazepam (DZM) were used as positive controls. The anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of the EO and BPNE were evaluated in mice. Both BPNE and EO at doses ≥100 mg/kg induced spontaneous hypnosis with loss of righting reflex, significantly decreased sleep latency (SL) and also increased total sleeping time (TST) dose-dependently. They had comparable activity with NAP in TST. The BPNE exhibited higher hypnotic potency than EO at the same dose levels. The EO and BPNE offered comparable dose-related protections against PTZ- and strychnine-induced convulsions. Flumazenil (2 mg/kg) blocked the hypnotic and anticonvulsant (PTZ-convulsions) effects of both EO and BPNE. The essential oil at 5-20 mg/kg dose levels significantly (p<0.05) increased the percentage time spent and number of entries into the open arms. While at the same dose range BPNE significantly (p<0.05) increased the percentage time spent and the number of entries into the open arms respectively. The study concluded that 1-nitro-2-phenylethane exhibited dose dependent significant hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects and it is the compound largely responsible for the neuropharmacological effects of the oil.

Anticonvulsant activity of the methanolic extract of Justicia extensa T. Anders

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

To investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the leaf extract of Justicia extensa T. Anders used traditionally in the treatment of convulsion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anticonvulsant activity of the methanolic extract of Justicia extensa (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was assessed in strychnine-induced (STR) and picrotoxin-induced (PCT) convulsion models in mice. Diazepam (1 mg/kg) and phenobarbitone (2 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs respectively.

RESULTS

The extract showed no toxicity and significantly prolonged (p<0.01-0.05) the onset and reduced the duration of the seizures induced by picrotoxin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose dependent manner. Phenobarbitone completely inhibited the seizures in this model. Similarly, in the seizures induced by strychnine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), the extract also prolonged the onset and reduced the duration of the seizures though not in a dose dependent manner. Diazepam failed to inhibit the strychnine-induced seizures. The plant extract however showed a significantly higher anticonvulsant activity at 100 and 200 mg/kg in comparison with diazepam.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained from this work suggest that Justicia extensa has anticonvulsant activity and this supports the use of the plant traditionally in the treatment of convulsion.

Pharmacology of intracisternal or intrathecal glycine, muscimol, and baclofen in strychnine-induced thermal hyperalgesia of mice

Glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are localized and released by the same interneurons in the spinal cord. Although the effects of glycine and GABA on analgesia are well known, little is known about the effect of GABA in strychnine-induced hyperalgesia. To investigate the effect of GABA and the role of the glycine receptor in thermal hyperalgesia, we designed an experiment involving the injection of muscimol (a GABA(A) receptor agonist), baclofen (a GABA(B) receptor agonist) or glycine with strychnine (strychnine sensitive glycine receptor antagonist). Glycine, muscimol, or baclofen with strychnine was injected into the cisterna magna or lumbar subarachnoidal spaces of mice. The effects of treatment on strychnine-induced heat hyperalgesia were observed using the pain threshold index via the hot plate test. The dosages of experimental drugs and strychnine we chose had no effects on motor behavior in conscious mice. Intracisternal or intrathecal administration of strychnine produced thermal hyperalgesia in mice. Glycine antagonize the effects of strychnine, whereas, muscimol or baclofen does not. Our results indicate that glycine has anti-thermal hyperalgesic properties in vivo; and GABA receptor agonists may lack the binding abilities of glycine receptor antagonists with their sites in the central nervous system.

Effects of tyramine on a spinal reflex in the anaesthetised chick

The effects of tyramine on polysynaptic spinal reflexes in anaesthetised chicks and cats have been studied. Very large intravenous doses of tyramine depressed the reflexly evoked contractions of skeletal muscles by an action exerted in the spinal cord. Since tyramine is normally present in the central nervous system, its function may be to exert some inhibitory controlling influence on muscular activity.

The Morphology and Histology of the Seeds of Strychnos Nux-Vomica, Linn., and its Adulterants, Strychnos Nux-Blanda, Hill, and Strychnos Potatorum, Linn

The morphology and histology of the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, Linn., Strychnos nux-blanda, Hill., and Strychnos potatorum, Linn., are described. The diagnostic features by which the two adulterants S. nux-blanda and S. potatorum can be distinguished from the pharmacopoeial drug S. nux-vomica, are noted.

CNS activities of ethanol extract of aerial parts of Hygrophila difformis in mice

The ethanol extract of aerial parts of Hygrophila difformis (EEHD) was tested for possible pharmacological effects on experimental animals. EEHD significantly potentiated the sleeping time of mice induced by standard hypnotics, viz. pentobarbital sodium, diazepam, and meprobamate in a dose dependent manner. EEHD showed significant analgesic properties as evidenced by the significant reduction in the number of writhes and stretches induced in mice by 1.2% acetic acid solution. It also potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine in mice. Pretreatment with EEHD caused significant protection against strychnine and leptazol-induced convulsions. The behavioral studies on mice indicate CNS depressant activity of the ethanol extract of H. difformis.

Anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative activities of the aqueous root extract of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to investigate the anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative activities of the aqueous root extract of Securidaca longepedunculata.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anticonvulsant effect of the aqueous root extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated in mice using the strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced seizure models. Its anxiolytic activity was evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the Y maze (YM) methods (Hogg, 1996; Yemitan and Adeyemi, 2003) while the hexobarbitone induced sleep and the hole board models were used to evaluate the sedative and exploratory activities in mice respectively. The acute toxicity studies and phytochemical analysis of the extract were also carried out.

RESULTS

The extract (100-400 mg/kg) produced a significant (P<0.01) dose dependent increase in onset of convulsion compared to the control for strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced seizures. It also produced a significant (P<0.01) dose dependent prolongation of the cumulative time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and Y maze compared with the control. The extract (100-400 mg/kg) produced significant (P<0.01) reduction in the time of onset of sleep induced by hexobarbitone. The prolongation of hexobarbitone sleeping time by the extract (200 mg/kg) was comparable to that produced by diazepam (3 mg/kg). At doses of 100-400 mg/kg, the extract produced a dose dependent decrease in exploratory activity of the mice. The reduction in exploratory activity produced by the extract (400 mg/kg) was greater than that of chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg). The results obtained from the experiments indicate that the extract has central nervous system depressant and anxiolytic activities. The LD(50) obtained for the acute toxicity studies using both oral and intraperitoneal routes of administration were 1.74 g/kg and 19.95 mg/kg respectively.

CONCLUSION

These findings justify the use of Securidaca longepedunculata in traditional medicine for the management of convulsion and psychosis.

Effects of extracts and neferine from the embryo of Nelumbo nucifera seeds on the central nervous system

The effects of embryos of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera on the central nervous system were studied in mice. MeOH extracts of embryos of Nelumbo nucifera seeds significantly inhibited locomotor activity in mice. The MeOH extract was successively partitioned between H(2)O and n-hexane, between H(2)O and CHCl(3), and between H(2)O and n-BuOH. CHCl(3) extracts strongly inhibited locomotor activity in mice, although other extracts had no effect on locomotor activity. The main alkaloid of CHCl(3) extracts, neferine, dose-dependently inhibited locomotor activity in mice. Neferine induced hypothermia in mice and apparently potentiated thiopental-induced sleeping time. An anxiolytic, diazepam, decreased locomotor activity, rectal temperature and enhanced sleep elicited by thiopental, similar to neferine. In addition, neferine and diazepam showed anti-anxiety effects in the elevated plus maze test. Neferine did not affect muscle coordination by the rota-rod test. Neferine did not affect strychnine- nor picrotoxin-induced seizure. In contrast, diazepam had apparent muscle relaxant and anti-convulsant effects. These results suggest that neferine has several central effects and that neferine may participate in the efficacy of the sedative effects of embryos of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera. The mechanisms of the sedative effects of neferine are not similar to those of diazepam.

Taurine Induces Anti-Anxiety by Activating Strychnine-Sensitive Glycine Receptor in vivo

Taurine has a variety of actions in the body such as cardiotonic, host-defensive, radioprotective and glucose-regulatory effects. However, its action in the central nervous system remains to be characterized. In the present study, we tested to see whether taurine exerts anti-anxiety effects and to explore its mechanism of anti-anxiety activity in vivo. The staircase test and elevated plus maze test were performed to test the anti-anxiety action of taurine. Convulsions induced by strychnine, picrotoxin, yohimbine and isoniazid were tested to explore the mechanism of anti-anxiety activity of taurine. The Rotarod test was performed to test muscle relaxant activity and the passive avoidance test was carried out to test memory activity in response to taurine. Taurine (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced rearing numbers in the staircase test while it increased the time spent in the open arms as well as the number of entries to the open arms in the elevated plus maze test, suggesting that it has a significant anti-anxiety activity. Taurine's action could be due to its binding to and activating of strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor in vivo as it inhibited convulsion caused by strychnine; however, it has little effect on picrotoxin-induced convulsion, suggesting its anti-anxiety activity may not be linked to GABA receptor. It did not alter memory function and muscle activity. Taken together, these results suggest that taurine could be beneficial for the control of anxiety in the clinical situations.

Anesthetic-like modulation of a gamma-aminobutyric acid type A, strychnine-sensitive glycine, and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors by coreleased neurotransmitters

INTRODUCTION

A mechanism of anesthesia has recently been proposed which predicts that coreleased neurotransmitters may modulate neurotransmitter receptors for which they are not the native agonist in a manner similar to anesthetics.

METHODS

We tested this prediction by applying acetylcholine to a NR1/NR2A N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, glycine to a wild-type alpha(1)beta(2) and anesthetic-resistant alpha(1)(S270I)beta(2) gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) type A receptor, and GABA to a homomeric alpha(1) wild type and anesthetic-resistant alpha(1) S267I glycine receptor. Receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and studied using two-electrode voltage clamping.

RESULTS

We found inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function by acetylcholine, enhancement of glycine receptor function by GABA, and enhancement of GABA type A receptor function by glycine. As expected of compounds with anesthetic activity, GABA showed far less potentiation (enhancement) of the function of the anesthetic-resistant S267I glycine receptor than that of the wild-type receptor. Glycine potentiated the function of wild-type GABA type A receptors but inhibited the function of the anesthetic-resistant S270I GABA type A receptor.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that neurotransmitters that are coreleased onto anesthetic-sensitive receptors may modulate the function of receptors for which they are not the native agonist via an anesthetic-like mechanism. These findings lend support to a recent theory of anesthetic action.

Anticonvulsant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu

The anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extracts (HAEs) from the stem bark of Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and strychnine-induced seizure tests and the potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice with the extracts were examined in this study. These medicinal plants belong to the Fabaceae family and are popularly used in Brazil for their effects on the central nervous system. The extracts of Erythrina velutina (intraperitoneally or orally) and Erythrina mulungu (intraperitoneally) were administered in mice at single doses (200 or 400mg/kg). While Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu did not exhibit any protector effect in PTZ-induced seizures, at any dose, an increase in the latency of convulsion and in the death time was observed with both doses and routes of Erythrina velutina and at higher dose of Erythrina mulungu, in strychnine-induced seizure. No alteration was observed with Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu on sleeping latency at both doses as compared to control (362.8+/-59.5). However, the sleeping time was increased in both plants as compared to control (943.8+/-129.6). In conclusion, we showed that the hydroalcoholic extracts of Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu have anticonvulsant effects only in the strychnine-induced seizure model, suggesting their possible action in glycine system and a potentiation of pentobarbital sleeping time, suggesting depressant action in the central nervous system.

Preliminary pharmacological screening of Bixa orellana L. leaves

Preliminary pharmacological studies were performed on the methanol extract of Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae) leaves to investigate neuropharmacological, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antidiarrhoeal activity and effect on gastrointestinal motility. All studies were conducted in mice using doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight. In the pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis test, the extract statistically reduced the time for the onset of sleep at 500 mg/kg dose and (dose-dependently) increased the total sleeping time at 250 and 500 mg/kg dose. A statistically significant decrease in locomotor activity was observed at all doses in the open-field and hole-cross tests. In the strychnine-induced anticonvulsant test, the extract increased the average survival time of the test animals (statistically significant at 250 and 500 mg/kg). The extract significantly and dose-dependently reduced the writhing reflex in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Antidiarrhoeal activity was supported by a statistically significant decrease in the total number of stools (including wet stools) in castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. A statistically significant delay in the passage of charcoal meal was observed at 500 mg/kg in the gastrointestinal motility test. The extract was further evaluated in vitro for antioxidant and antibacterial activity. It revealed radical scavenging properties in the DPPH assay (IC(50)=22.36 microg/ml) and antibacterial activity against selected causative agents of diarrhoea and dysentery, including Shigella dysenteriae.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activities ofN-Cbz-α-aminoglutarimidooxy carboxylate derivatives

Previous studies on the anticonvulsant activity of N-Cbz-alpha-aminoglutarimides have shown that the derivatives of N-Cbz-alpha-amino-N-alkoxy glutarimide have significant anticonvulsant activity. In addition, their anticonvulsant activities are dependent on the presence of N-alkoxy groups. Based on these results, a series of N-Cbz-alpha-amino-glutarimidooxy carboxylates derivatives (3a-e) were synthesized in moderate yield using a known synthetic procedure. Their anticonvulsant activities were evaluated using the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test, the pentylene tetrazole induced seizure (PTZ) test, and the strychinine (Str) threshold test with the ultimate aim of developing more active anticonvulsants. None of the compounds (3a-e) tested showed anticonvulsant activity in the MES and PTZ test. However, all the compounds tested exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity in the Str. test. The most active compound in the Str. test was the methyl ester of N-Cbz-alpha-amino-glutarimidooxy acetic acid 3a (ED50 = 42.9 mg/kg).

Switching-on and -off of bistable spontaneous discharges in rat spinal deep dorsal horn neurons

Somatosensory deep dorsal horn spinal neurons were previously shown to present in vitro a bistable state of activity in which a fixed firing rate is maintained over prolonged periods in the absence of stimulation. Those periods of enhanced spinal spontaneous discharge may play a role in the genesis or maintenance of hyperalgesic states, where episodes of durable spontaneous pain are commonly reported. Here we show in vivo that a small percentage of deep spinal neurons (4% of the recorded population) are capable of rapidly shifting between low-frequency and high-frequency levels of spontaneous activity. At least one of the transitions between the two states was induced by stimulation of the receptive field, making this an interesting and unique case in which stable firing rates are switched-on or -off by somatosensory stimuli.

CNS depressant activity of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides

The aqueous root extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides was used to study the central nervous system depressant activity pattern of the plant. The extract protected mice from strychnine-induced convulsion at 400 mg/kg p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. A dose-dependent prolongation of seizure latency was produced at 400 mg/kg, p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. for strychnine-induced seizure; and at 400 mg/kg p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. for picrotoxin-induced seizure. Moreover, the CNS depressant activity of the extract (200 mg/kg p.o. and 50 mg/kg i.p.) was demonstrated by a significant prolongation of 40 mg/kg, pentobarbitone sleeping time, and significant reduction in exploratory behavior of mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg p.o., with both effects comparable to effects produced by 4 mg/kg chlorpromazine. Acute oral toxicity test, up to 14 days, did not produce any visible signs of toxicity; however, acute (24 h) i.p toxicity test produced a dose-dependent mortality with LD50 of 455.2 mg/kg.

Inhibitory effects of the essential oil from SuHeXiang Wan on the central nervous system after inhalation

The present study was performed to evaluate the central nervous system inhibitory effects of the essential oil from SuHeXiang Wan (Storax pill), a prescription usually used for treating epilepsy in traditional Chinese medicine, on fragrance inhalation (aroma therapy). Preinhalation of the fragrance oil markedly delayed the appearance of pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion, but showed weak activities on picrotoxin- and strychnine-induced convulsions, which implies this drug may inhibit the convulsion by GABAergic neuromodulation. This essential oil inhibited the binding of [(3)H]Ro15-1788, a selective antagonist for the benzodiazepine receptor and also the binding of [(3)H]flunitrazepam, a selective agonist for the receptor, in the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and NaCl, showing a positive GABA shift, which suggested the strong possibility of the agonistic activity of the essential oil to the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex in rat cerebral cortices. Furthermore, inhalation inhibited the activity of GABA transaminase as the inhalation period was lengthened. The GABA level was significantly increased and glutamate content was significantly decreased in mouse brain by preinhalation of the essential oil. The above results suggest that the anticonvulsive effect of this essential oil can also originate from the enhancement of GABA level in the mouse brain, because convulsion depends partially on GABA concentration which can be properly preserved by inhibiting GABA transaminase. Fragrance inhalation progressively prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time as inhalation time was lengthened and inhibited brain lipid peroxidation, to which the anticonvulsive action is attributed; this also supported the above results, confirming the inhibitory effects of the essential oil of SuHeXiang Wan on the CNS via the GABAergic system.

Anticonvulsant activity of Mimosa pudica decoction

The decoction of Mimosa pudica leaves given intraperitoneally at dose of 1000-4000 mg/kg protected mice against pentylentetrazol and strychnine-induced seizures. M. pudica had no effect against picrotoxin-induced seizures It also antagonized N-methyl-D-aspartate- induced turning behavior. These properties could explain its use in African traditional medicine.

Central properties of the essential oil and the crude ethanol extract from aerial parts of Artemisia annua L

The present study evaluated the central activity of the essential oil and the ethanolic extract from Artemisia annua L. in animals as a part of a psychopharmacological screening of this plant. The extract was prepared with fresh leaves in ethanol (AEE) and the essential oil (AEO) was obtained by hidrodestilation. The ED(50) and the LD(50) obtained for the essential oil were 470mg/kg (correlation coefficient r=0.97333 and linear regression y=-26.52x+0.158) and 790mg/kg, and for the extract, 450mg/kg (correlation coefficient r=0.99266 and linear regression y=-27.34+0.156) and more than 2g/kg, respectively. The doses increased the latency time to convulsions induced by picrotoxin and pilocarpine but prevented the onset of pentylenotetrazol and strychnine induced seizures. In addition to, the products have caused marked inhibition in the Rota-rod assay. According to the results, the AEO has a high acute toxicity and a possible cholinergic action, and the AEE showed a possible central activity as dopaminergic and cholinergic agents, and did not present a significant acute toxicity. These differences should be due to chemical substances present in each product. These products had no significant effect as an anticonvulsant, while exhibited a strong depressant activity on the CNS.