Anticonvulsant properties of propofol and thiopentone: comparison using two tests in laboratory mice

Experiments were carried out in mice to assess the protection provided by thiopentone (Intraval, May and Baker) and propofol (Diprivan, I.C.I.) against epileptiform seizures induced by electroshock and pentylenetetrazol. Intraperitoneal administration of propofol 50 mg kg-1 and thiopentone 25 mg kg-1 produced similar peak behavioural effects of mild sedation and incoordination. However, at these doses propofol afforded a greater degree of protection against pentylenetetrazol than thiopentone and at greater doses both propofol and thiopentone caused marked protection. Both anaesthetics were effective also against electroshock seizures at sedative doses. We conclude that propofol has strong anticonvulsant properties.