Study of Neuropharmacological Profile of Cilostazol

Drugs  with  large conductance calcium activated potassium channel opening  properties  by  virtue of  their  ability to  promote  an outflow of potassium ions, produce hyper polarization of cell membrane and decrease in the  cell excitability. This modulatory role of BK channels on the glutaminergic neuro-transmission renders BK channels openers potentially useful in epilepsy. Apart from this, channels form the target for modulation for a range of neurotransmitters and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Our study was designed to investigate the neurobehavioural and anticonvulsant properties of Cilostazol.  Neurobehavioural properties were evaluated using the hole board, Actophotometer and pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis.  Strychnine and maximal electroshock induced convulsion tests were used to investigate the anti-convulsive actions of Cilostazol. Results show that Cilostazol significantly reduced   the number of poking at both the tested doses. It also reduced the locomotor activity and showed a slight increase in sleeping time also. In addition, Cilostazol (20 & 40 mg/kg) showed protection of rats against strychnine induced convulsions but has no effect on maximal electroshock induced convulsions. The effects of cilostazol in various models were comparable with that of the standard drug.  The findings from the study suggest that the Cilostazol may be neurosedative and anticonvulsant action might be by blocking the inhibitory effects of glycine.