Third Generation Cardioselective Beta Blocker Exhibits Significant Anticonvulsant Properties in Pentylenetetrazole Model in Wistar Albino Rats

Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of nebivolol in Wistar albino rats by pentylenetetrazole (pTZ) model.

Methods: The research protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC). Standard GLP and CPCSEA guidelines were adhered throughout the study period. Healthy adult Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing between 180 and 250 g were selected as per the study protocol and the animals were procured from the central animal house of the institution. The animals were housed in the experimental laboratory for 7 days. The animals were randomly divided into control, standard, and test groups with six animals in each group. Group-I: control (equivalent volume of normal saline, i.p.), group-II: sodium valproate (150 mg/Kg BW, i.p.), group-III: nebivolol (5 mg/kg BW, i.p.). Anticonvulsant activity in Wistar albino rats was assessed by PTZ model. The data were expressed as mean ± SE. One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test was used to find the statistical significance among study groups.

Results: The standard drug (sodium valproate) showed significant reduction in onset of seizures (time in seconds), duration of seizures (time in seconds), and number of seizures (in 1 hour) when compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Nebivolol also showed significant reduction in onset, duration, and number of seizures when compared with group I (control) with p-value less than 0.05.

Conclusion: Nebivolol possesses significant anticonvulsant properties in PTZ model in Wistar albino rats.