Studies of the anticonvulsant spectrum of delta 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol in rats

Abstract

Delta 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 - THC), given orally was studied for anticonvulsant activity against electroshock seizures, and for anticonvulsant activity as well as protection from lethality against subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), picrotoxin, and strychnine,and intraperitoneal lidocaine in rats. Delta 9 - THC in a dose-related fashion elevates the threshold for maximal electroshock seizures. A dose of 30 mg/kg of delta 9 - THC provides anticonvulsant activity against maximal PTZ seizures while the same dose does not protect against maximal seizures induced by strychnine or minimal seizures induced by electroshock, PTZ, lidocaine or picrotoxin. Further, delta 9 -THC at 30 mg/kg does not protect against lethality induced by any of the chemical convulsants used. These data indicate that delta 9 - THC has a rather narrow anticonvulsant spectrum of activity involving only maximal electroshock and PTZ seizures. In these respects, delta 9 - THC resembles phenytoin.