Journal of Medical Sciences1682-44741812-5727Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jms.2006.1021.1024UmukoroS. AshorobiR.B. EsseinE.E. 6200666This study reports on the anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of two well-known calcium channel antagonists, verapamil and nifedipine in mice. The anticonvulsant effect of these drugs was screened utilizing strychnine animal seizure model. The anxiolytic effect of these compounds was assessed using elevated plus maze paradigm. The results of the study showed that verapamil (5-20 mg kg-1, i.p) and nifedipine (5-10 mg kg-1, i.p) exhibited anticonvulsant activity as evidenced by their ability to prolong the onset of seizures produced by strychnine (1 mg kg-1, i.p) in mice. Verapamil (20 mg kg-1) offered 100% protection against convulsions or death induced by strychnine. Similar effects were observed in animals pretreated with 10 mg kg-1 of nifedipine. In the anxiolytic test, verapamil, but not nifedipine significantly (p<0.05) modified the number of entries in a similar manner to diazepam in the elevated plus maze paradigm. Taken together, these findings suggest that verapamil possess both anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects, whilst nifedipine only exhibited anticonvulsant activity in mice.]]>Barrett, J.E.,19911991pp: 37-52pp: 37-52Boullin, D.J. and D.B. Grahma-smith,198792607607Cortes, R., P. Supavilai., M. Karobath and J.M. Palacois,198460169197Desarro, G., B.S. Meldrum and G. Nistico,198893247256Godfraind, T., R. Miller and M. Wibo,198638321416Insel, T.R., T. James and M. Winslow,19911991pp: 15-36pp: 15-36McNamara, J.O.,20012001pp: 521-567pp: 521-567Meyer, F.B., R.E. Anderson and T.M. Sundt,1990316874Pellow, S., P. Chopin., S. E. File and B. Briely,198514149167Pucilowski, O.,19921091229Rogawski, M.A. and R.J. Porter,199042223286Smith, M.A., T.A. Slotkin, D.L. Knight and C.B. Nameroff,1986in vitro.]]>11819972001Taylor, P. and P.A. Insel,19901990pp: 34-139pp: 34-139