EFFECTS OF CHLOROQUINE ON PENTYLENETETRAZOL-INDUCED CONVULSIONS IN MICE

The effects of chloroquine pretreatment were investigated on pentylene tetrazol-induced clonic-tonic convulsions in mice. The results demonst rated that lower doses of chloroquine (1.0-5.0 mg kg(-1)) significantl y induced a delay in onset time to the clonic component of convulsions and reduced the incidence of the tonic phase of convulsions and morta lity. In contrast, at a higher dose range (10.0-50.0 mg kg(-1)) chloro quine had opposite effects. This study points out the biphasic action of chloroquine on clonic-tonic PTZ convulsions and its preferential ef fect against the tonic phase of convulsions.