THE ANTIANXIETY ACTION OF VERAPAMIL IN SWISS ALBINO MOUSE IN COMPARISON TO FLUOXETINE

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are due to reduced serotonin or noradrenaline or GABA in the hippocampus. This study aims at investigating the anti-anxiety actions of verapamil. Materials and Methods: Swiss Albino mice of either sex were used. Group I – control recieved normal saline, Group II fluoxetine 20mg/Kg, Group III Verapamil (10mg/Kg), Group IV Verapamil (20mg/Kg) and Group V- Verapamil (10mg/Kg) and Fluoxetine. Each group had 5 mice. On day 9 of treatment mice were subjected to the marble burying test, light-dark exploration test, act photometer, and social interaction study. Results: Mean (sd) Locomotor activity in the control group was 267.6 (±61.77), 462.6 (± 58.2) with Verapamil 10mg, 561.8 (±33.33) with Verapamil 20mg. Verapamil significantly increased locomotion (P<0.001). The number of entries into light area was 57.20±11.78 in the control group, 85±11.26 with Verapamil (10mg/Kg) and 102.6±7.93 with Verapamil 20 mg/kg. Verapamil significantly increased the number of entries towards light as compared to control mice (P <0.001). The number of entries into dark area was 262.4±16.65 in the control group, 30.6±8.88 with Verapamil 10mg/kg and 14.6±4.4 with Verapamil 20 mg/kg. Verapamil significantly decreased the number of entries towards dark as compared to control mice (P <0.001). Verapamil significantly increased number of social interactions as compared to control mice (P <0.001). Conclusion: Mice treated with Verapamil had reduced anxiety. This effect was dose dependant and comparable to fluoxetine.