Purpose: To investigate the anticonvulsant and sedative effects of
Fufang Changniu
Pills (FCP) and its
probable mechanism of action in mice.
Methods: The water decoction of FCP was prepared and the main constituents were determined by
high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The anticonvulsant activities of FCP were evaluated
by maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice. Pentobarbital
sodium-induced sleeping time and locomotor activity measurements were performed to evaluate the
sedative effects of FCP in mice. Finally, PTZ-induced chronic seizures were established, and
expressions of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA-A) and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65
(GAD65) in the brains of the mice were assayed by western blot in order to explore the probable
mechanisms of action of the drug.
Results: Gallic acid, liquiritin, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid and glycyrrhizic acid were detected in
FCP decoction. FCP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) showed significant anticonvulsant and sedative effects on
epileptic mice induced by MES (p < 0.05) and PTZ (p < 0.05). Moreover, pentobarbital sodium-induced
sleeping time and locomotor activity tests showed that FCP possesses sedative effect (p < 0.05).
Western blot data indicate that FCP significantly up-regulated GABA-A and GAD 65 in the brains of
chronic epileptic rats (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: FCP has significant anticonvulsant and sedative effects, and the mechanism of its action
may be related to the up-regulation of GABA-A and GAD 65 in mice brain.
