Umesh G. Wari1, Suresh S. Kendri2
BACKGROUND: It is a known fact that calcium ions are involved in pathogenesis of seizures. Hence current study was undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of calcium channel blockers flunarizine, diltiazem 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 diltiazem 7.5mg/kg, 15mg/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 were, 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 flunarizine affords protection against convulsions induced in both models, with its efficacy almost approaching that of sodium valproate whereas protection by diltiazem was not significant in both models.
CONCLUSION: Flunarizine has significant, while diltiazem has no statistically significant anticonvulsant activity as compared to sodium valproate.
