Interaction of Opioid Receptors in Anticonvulsant Effect of Progesterone in Ovariectomized Mice

It is well known that progesterone (i.p.) have a potent anticonvulsant effect in human and animal. This study was designed to evaluate the involvement of opioid receptors in this effect of progesterone in ovariectomized mice. All animal received intraperitoneal injection of drugs (progesterone and naloxone) two week s after surgery, for ovariectomy. Convulsion induced by subcutaneous injection of drugs. Onset, Number, death time and duration of convulsion were recorded for evaluation of the convulsion. Progesterone (25, 50 mg/kg i.p.) decreased the convulsive symptoms. Anticonvulsant effect of high dose of progesterone was abolished by naloxone (5 mg/kg i.p.). Administration of the same doses of the naloxone, did not alone affect strychnine- induced convulsion. These results suggest that central opioids receptors may be play an important role in the anticonvulsant effect of progesterone