Biological Activity
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a pharmaceutical drug, specifically a GABA analog. It was originally developed to treat epilepsy, and currently is also used to relieve neuropathic pain.
In Vitro
Gabapentin, baclofen and CGP 44532 all reduced the electrically stimulated release of [3H]glutamic acid (IC50=20 microM, 0.8 microM and 2 microM, respectively). Gabapentin was without effect on the release of [3H]GABA, whilst baclofen (IC50=8 microM) and CGP 44532 (IC50=1 microM) inhibited [3H]GABA release [2]. A large inhibition of calcium currents by gabapentin was observed in pyramidal neocortical cells (up to 34%). Significantly, the gabapentin-mediated inhibition of calcium currents saturated at particularly low concentrations (around 10 microM), at least in neocortical neurons (IC50 about 4 microM) [3].
In Vivo
Gabapentin produced an anti-allodynic effect over the 7-day period, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines but increasing the expression of IL-10 (TNF-α, 316.0 ± 69.7 pg/mL vs 88.8 ± 24.4 pg/mL; IL-1β, 1,212.9 ± 104.5 vs 577.4 ± 97.1 pg/mL; IL-6, 254.0 ± 64.8 pg/mL vs 125.5 ± 44.1 pg/mL; IL-10, 532.1 ± 78.7 pg/mL vs 918.9 ± 63.1 pg/mL). The suppressive effect of gabapentin on pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was partially blocked by the anti-IL-10 antibody [4].Toxicity: No new safety signals or adverse event trends relating to GEn exposure were identified [5].
References & source
Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.