Abstract: Objective To explore the anti-epileptic effect and mechanism of Shenpu Decoction.MethodsThe pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model was adopted. 50 rats were randomly divided into the Shenpu Decoction control group (n=8), blank control group (n=8), Shenpu Decoction plus pilocarpine group (n=8) and pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model group (n=26), the last group was re-divided into the Shenpu Decoction treatment group and model control group. The incidence of convulsion and the content of free amino acids in brain tissues were observed.ResultsThe incidence of convulsion was 0 in the Shenpu Decoction plus pilocarpine group and 88.5% in the pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model group, there was a significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05). The content of glutamic acid in brain tissue of the Shenpu Decoction plus pilocarpine group and pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model group higher than that of the blank control group ( P<0.05～0.01). The content of gamma-aminobutyric acid in brain tissue of the Shenpu Decoction plus pilocarpine group and Shenpu Decoction treatment group was higher than that of the model control group ( P<0.05).ConclusionShenpu Decoction can effectively prevent and terminate the episodes of convulsion.

Key words: Shenpu Decoction, epilepsy, convulsion model, pharmacodynamics, glutamic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid