Effect of quinine on electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice.

1. Effect of quinine on electroshock and pentylenetetrazol (leptazol)-induced seizures was investigated in mice. 2. Quinine (0.1-100 mg/kg, ip) did not protect mice against electroshock seizure. 3. 25-100 mg/kg, ip of quinine reduced the incidence of leptazol (80-90 mg/kg, sc)-induced seizure and significantly prolonged the onset of both myoclonic and tonic phases. 4. d-Amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, ip), inhibited the protective effect of quinine (100 mg/kg, ip) against leptazol (80-90 mg/kg, sc)-induced seizure and significantly shortened the onset of both myoclonic and tonic phases of the seizure. 5. Pimozide (4 mg/kg, ip) significantly potentiated the protective effect of quinine (50-100 mg/kg, ip) against leptazol (80-90 mg/kg, sc)-induced seizure. 6. These results suggest that quinine in moderate doses, may have slight anticonvulsant properties and that dopaminergic mechanism may be involved in the protective influence of quinine against leptazol-induced seizure in mice.