Objective: 

Topical application of penicillin is one of the methods to induce epileptic activity. Phenytoin is a commonly used antiepileptic drug. Carnosine is a biologically active dipeptide. Animal studies have shown that carnosine can protect against seizures in experimental models and can be used as an antiepileptic in future. We investigated the effects of phenytoin and carnosine combination on penicillin epilepsy in rats.

Methods: 

Wistar albino rats weighing 200–250g were divided into four groups. Left somatomotor cortex of the animals was opened under urethane anesthesia. Group I received 500 IU Penicillin G intracerebroventricularly. Group II received phenytoin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p). 500 mg/kg carnosine was applied (i.p) to group III. Group IV received phenytoin and carnosine combination. Group II, III and IV received penicillin 30 minutes after drug applications. Electrocorticogram recording was taken for 180 minutes.

Results: 

The data analysis was performed using One-way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey test. Phenytoin and carnosine decreased spike frequencies in epileptic activity when they were used alone (p<0.05). Phenytoin and carnosine combination reduced spike frequencies too (p<0.05). But a significant difference was not seen between the combinations and the single use of these drugs.

Conclusions: 

We concluded that phenytoin and carnosine did not potentiate anticonvulsant effect of each other.