Protective effects of minocycline, doxycycline and tetracycline on seizure and lethality in a mice cocaine toxicity model.

INTRODUCTION

Acute cocaine intoxication is one of the important causes of admission to emergency department, especially in western countries. We aimed to compare the efficacies of tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline in the prevention of seizures and deaths in mice due to cocaine intoxication.

METHODS

In the study, a total of 120 balb-c male mice weighing 25-30 g were randomized into 4 groups as tetracycline 255 mg/kg, minocycline 170 mg/kg, doxycycline 157 mg/kg, 0.5 ml saline (placebo). The doses of tetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline are the calculated ED50 values. The mice in the groups received 93 mg/kg cocaine intraperitoneally 10 min after drug administration. The dose of cocaine is 50% of the lethal dose. After cocaine injection, all mice were observed for 30 min in terms of cocaine toxicity findings. Mortality rates, death times, seizure activities, and seizure onset times of the mice were clinically evaluated in an observational way.

RESULTS

There were significant differences among all the groups in terms of seizure and lethality (p < 0.001). The ratio of animals with seizures was significantly lower in the minocycline (73.3%), and doxycycline (73.3%) groups (all p = 0.040). The ratio of animals with lethality was significantly lower in the minocycline (23.3%) group compared with vehicle (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In our acute cocaine intoxication model, minocycline was effective in terms of lethality and preventing seizures, doxycycline was effective in preventing seizures.