Effect of clobenpropit, a centrally acting histamine H3-receptor antagonist, on electroshock- and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice

The anticonvulsant activity of clobenpropit, an isothiourea derivative of histamine and potent H-3-receptor antagonist, was investigated in two representative seizure models in mice. In the maximal electroshock seizure threshold test, clobenpropit dose-dependently raised the electroconvulsive threshold for tonic (hindlimb extension) seizures, but a significant increase of about 15% was determined only at the high dose of 40 mg/kg i.p. The protective action of this drug was reduced by immepip and (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, selective H-3-receptor agonists. In co-medication with two standard antiepileptics, clobenpropit (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly increased the anticonvulsant effectiveness of carbamazepine and tended to increase the effectiveness of valproate. Additional studies indicated that the high dose of clobenpropit also significantly enhanced the plasma carbamazepine concentration. One the other hand, in the s.c. PTZ seizure threshold test clobenpropit revealed no protective effects. In the rotarod ataxia test, impaired motor function was observed at 80 mg/kg clobenpropit. In conclusion, the present findings indicated no pronounced anticonvulsant effects of clobenpropit against generalized tonic as well as clonic seizures.