Background
Inositol acts as gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor agonist and has been proven to be effective in treating panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders. 
Objective
The present work investigated the protective effect of inositol against epileptiform activity induced by G-penicillin in rats.
Materials and methods
Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (six rats each) as follows: group I: the normal control group received saline. Group II: penicillin group treated daily with intraperotineal (i.p.) injection of saline for 14 days before the induction of epileptiform activity by a single dose of penicillin G. Groups III-IV: Inositol groups received daily inositol at a dose of 0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg body weight, orally for 14 days before penicillin G injection.
Results and conclusion
Administration of inositol (0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg) attenuated the severity of the behavioral changes as crying, myoclonic twitching of the eyelids, facial muscles, forelimbs rearing, and myoclonic jerk. Inositol, also, reduced serum levels of calcium and N-methyl-D-aspartate, decreased brain contents of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide as well as elevated brain contents of reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. In addition, both doses of inositol decreased brain contents of interleukin-1β by 12% and 24% and C-reactive protein by 59% and 77%, and elevated brain contents of GABA by 62% and 133%, glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody by 5 fold and 17 fold, and excitatory amino acid transporter 2 by 27% and 37%, respectively, as compared with epileptic group.
Inositol ameliorated epileptiform activity induced by penicillin G through its antioxidant effect, anti-inflammatory effect, and restoring neurotransmitters GABA, glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody, excitatory amino acid transporter 2, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.