Anxiogenic potential of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin in rats

Sen S, Jaiswal AK, Yanpallewar S, Acharya SB
Correspondence: Dr SB Acharya, sbacharya@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT
Introduction The possible anxiogenic effects of fluoroquinolones, namely ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, were investigated in adult Charles Foster albino rats of either sex, weighing 150-200 g.
Methods The drugs were given orally, in doses of 50 mg/kg for five consecutive days and the experiments were performed on the fifth day. The tests included open-field exploratory behaviour, elevated plus maze and elevated zero maze, social interaction and novelty-suppressed feeding latency behaviour.
Results The results indicate that ciprofloxacin- and norfloxacin-treated rats showed anxious behaviour in comparison to control rats in all the parameters studied. However, ciprofloxacin- and norfloxacin-treated rats did not differ significantly from each other in various behavioural parameters.
Conclusion The present experimental findings substantiate the clinically observed anxiogenic potential of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.

Keywords: anxiogenic effects, ciprofloxacin, fluoroquinolone, norfloxacin, rat
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(11): 1028–1032