Effect of bis(acetato)tetrakis(imidazole) copper(II) in delaying the onset and reducing the mortality rate of strychnine- and thiosemicarbazide- induced convulsions.

The anticonvulsant activity of bis(acetato)tetrakis(imidazole) copper(II), Cu(OAc)2(Im)4, was studied in normal mice using chemical convulsions induced by strychnine, thiosemicarbazide, picrotoxin, and pentelenetetrazol. Intraperitoneal administration of Cu(OAc)2(Im)4, 50 mg/kg body mass, has delayed the onset of strychnine (3 mg/kg)-induced convulsion by 204% (p < or = 0.005) and thiosemicarbazide (20 mg/kg)-induced convulsant by 61% (p < or = 0.005). The changes in the onset of picrotoxin- (6 mg/kg) and pentelenetetrazol (50 mg/kg)-induced convulsions were not significant. The same dosage of the copper compound was effective in delaying the lethal time and reducing the mortality rate of treated animals. The anticonvulsant activity of Cu(OAc)2(Im)4 complex against strychnine was not related to its constituents because the inorganic form of copper such as copper chloride, copper acetate, and the parent imidazole has no anticonvulsant activity. Other copper(II) complexes like copper(II)aspirinate and bis(acetato)bis(2-methyl imidazole) copper(II) were less effective.