ANXIOGENIC ACTIVITY OF SOME FLUOROQUINOLONES IN ELEVATED PLUS MAZE IN RATS

Abstract

Background: Fluoroquinolones are commonly utilised antibiotics linked to harmful effects on the central nervous system, such as anxiety and various neuropsychiatric disorders.

Method: Thirty-six albino rats were allocated into six groups (n=6). Ciprofloxacin (100 mg/kg), pefloxacin (60 mg/kg), sparfloxacin (60 mg/kg), and lomefloxacin (60 mg/kg) were delivered via intraperitoneal injection. Anxiety-related behaviour was evaluated by quantifying arm entrances and the duration spent in both the open and closed arms of the “Elevated Plus Maze (EPM)”.

Result: All fluoroquinolones markedly diminished open-arm entries, open-arm duration, and total arm entries, while augmenting time allocated to closed arms, signifying anxiogenic effects. Pefloxacin exhibited the most significant effect, succeeded by ciprofloxacin, while sparfloxacin and lomefloxacin demonstrated moderate effects.

Conclusion: Fluoroquinolones demonstrate considerable anxiogenic effects in rats, with pefloxacin exhibiting the highest anxiogenic potential.