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

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<0.05). Pre-treatment with meloxicam increased GABA levels in the cortex and decreased glutamate levels in the hippocampus (p<0.05). Post-treatment of meloxicam after PTZ-induced seizure increased GABA levels in the hippocampus (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of our experimental study suggest that meloxicam has anti-convulsive effects and these effects may be mediated by GABA and glutamate, which are the main indicators of inhibition and excitation balance in the brain.