Anxiogenic potential of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin in rats.
BACKGROUND
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The present experimental findings substantiate the clinically observed anxiogenic potential of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.
Sen
S
S
Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Jaiswal
A K
AK
Yanpallewar
S
S
Acharya
S B
SB
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000633:toxicity*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009643:Norfloxacin / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D009643:Norfloxacin