title: Anti-inflammatoryactivity of calciumchannel blocker lercanidipine hydrochloride.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the third-generation CCB, lercanidipine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ability of lercanidipine to reduce inflammation in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats was evaluated, using different doses and its anti-inflammatory effect was compared with that of diclofenac sodium. Mast cell degranulation effect of lercanidipine was also carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lercanidipine produced a significant reduction in the inflammatory paw edema at all doses and at all intervals (P < 0.001). The percentage of reduction in edema was found to be proportionate to the doses of lercanidipine. Lercanidipine also significantly reduced the percentage of propranolol-induced mast cell degranulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was found that lercanidipine exerts a positive anti-inflammatory effect in a dose-dependent manner and was superior to diclofenac sodium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Prathap
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vasigar
authors.forename: Mounissamy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batmanabane
keywords: Carrageenan; diclofenac sodium; lercanidipine; mast cells