Umesh G. Wari1, Suresh S. Kendri2, Girish H. Vasanad3
BACKGROUND: CA+2 ions are involved in initiation as well as spread of seizures. Hence current study was undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of calcium channel blockers flunarizine, nifedipine and compare their efficacy with that of sodium valproate, the broad spectrum anticonvulsant in MES and PTZ induced seizures in albino rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Albino rats were treated with nifedipine 2.5mg/kg, 5mg/kg, flunarizine 7.5mg/kg,15mg/kg and sodium valproate 250mg/kg bodyweight intraperitoneally and the effects were observed in MES and PTZ models of epilepsy. The parameters observed in MES model was, duration of HLTE phase. Convulsive phase, and post ictal depressive phase. In PTZ model duration of seizure latency, duration of convulsion, and duration post ictal depression were observed.
RESULTS: our study demonstrated that both calcium channel blockers afford protection against convulsions induced in both models, and flunarizine affords higher degree of protection than nifedipine, with its efficacy almost approaching that of sodium valproate.
CONCLUSION: Flunarizine has significant, while nifedipine has moderate degree of anticonvulsant activity as compared to sodium valproate.
