Evaluation of anti-ulcer effect of amlodipine in gastric ulcer models in rats

AIMS: To study anti-ulcer effect of Amlodipine and compared it with ranitidine in indomethacin, alcohol and pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcers in wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric ulcers were induced in Wistar albino rats by oral administration of indomethacin (200 mg/kg), alcohol (80%, 1 ml/100 gm) and by pyloric ligation. Antiulcer activity of amlodipine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was observed either alone or in combination with ranitidine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), on ulcer index, gastric pH and gastric volume. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and unpaired one tailed ‘t‘ test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Amlodipine produced significant (P<0.05) decrease in ulcer index and gastric pH as compared to control. It also produced significant (P<0.05) increase in gastric volume as compared to ranitidine. The anti-ulcer effects of ranitidine were significantly higher than that of amlodipine. Combination of amlodipine and ranitidine did not show significant increase in anti-ulcer activity as compared with ranitidine alone. CONCLUSIONS: Amlodipine produced significant anti-ulcer effects in all 3 experimental models. Amlodipine increased the volume of gastric secretions as compared to ranitidine.