Research reportAcute effects of aceclofenac, COX-2 inhibitor, on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity

- Aceclofenac 10 mg/kg triggered the seizure activity more than 20 mg/kg.
- Both doses of aceclofenac showed proconvulsant effect in penicillin induced epilepsy.
- Aceclofenac must be used carefully for relieving pain, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in the clinic.

PurposeThe effects of COX-2 inhibitors on seizure activity are controversial. The aim of the current study was to determine the post-treatment effect of aceclofenac on penicillin-induced experimental epilepsy.MethodsMale Wistar rats were used in all experiments (n = 18). The seizure activity was triggered by penicillin (i.c.). Aceclofenac was injected intraperitoneally at doses of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg.ResultsIntraperitoneal administration of 10 and 20 mg/kg aceclofenac doses, exhibited proconvulsant properties on seizure activity on rats. The mean spike frequency and amplitude of aceclofenac 10 mg/kg were 41.89 ± 2.12 spike/min and 0.619 ± 0.094 mV, respectively. The mean spike frequency and amplitude of aceclofenac 20 mg/kg were 35.26 ± 2.72 spike/min and 0.843 ± 0.089 mV, respectively.ConclusionThe results indicated that not all of the COX-2 inhibitors may have anticonvulsant or proconvulsant features on patients with epilepsy susceptibility and must be used with great care. It was also suggested that not only cyclooxygenase metabolic pathway but also lipoxygenase pathway should be considered together in further detailed studies.

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