Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of magnesium oxide alone and along with carbamazepine

Objectives: To evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of magnesium oxide alone and its activity alongside carbamazepine in albino rats. Materials and methods: In MES (maximal electric shock) method, 36 male albino rats weighing between 100-200gm, were divided into 6 groups each containing 6 animals were all treated with magnesium oxide (500,1000mg/kg) for 10 days orally. On 11th day Carbamazepine (50,30mg/Kg) was given orally an hour before MES induced seizures except control and only magnesium oxide groups. Abolition of tonic hind limb extention reflex and time taken to regain righting reflex were noted for each animal after MES induced seizures. Results: Low dose oral administration (500mg/kg) for 10 days in healthy rat showed 33.33% protection to MES, while the group with high dose magnesium (1000mg/kg) showed no protection to MES. Low oral dose of magnesium (500mg/kg) along with low dose carbamazepine (30mg/kg) showed better results than groups with only carbamazepine and high dose carbamazepine (50mg/kg) along with low dose magnesium oxide(500mg/kg). Conclusion: Low dose magnesium has anticonvulsant activity in MES seizure model, moreover combination of low dose magnesium oxide with low dose carbamazepine showed better results considering both the end points(THLE and TRR) in MES induced seizure model.