Antipsychotic Activity of Amiloride in Swiss Albino mice

Background: Psychosis is a clinical syndrome characterised by distortions in perception, disorganised thinking, and impaired reality testing, commonly manifesting as hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorganisation. Neuroinflammation and ion channel dysregulation, especially involving Acid-Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs), are increasingly recognised in psychosis pathophysiology. Activation of ASICs contributes to calcium-mediated neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity. Amiloride, a diuretic that non-selectively inhibits ASICs, shows neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the antipsychotic effects of Amiloride in Swiss Albino mice. Materials and Methods: Male Swiss Albino mice, weighing between 20-30 g, were used in this study. The Mice were randomly assigned to four groups with 4 animals in each group. Control (Normal Saline- 10 ml/Kg), Standard (Chlorpromazine 3 mg/kg), Test 1 (Amiloride 10 mg/Kg), Test 2 (Amiloride 20 mg/kg). Psychosis induced by Inj Ketamine 50 mg/kg ip for 5 days. At day 8, Locomotor activity was assessed after administration of the Test and standard drug at 0, 30 and 60 min using the Actophotometer. Anhedonia (negative symptom) was assessed using the Sucrose preference test. Results: Amiloride 20 mg/Kg demonstrated a comparable antipsychotic effect with the Standard drug in Swiss Albino mice when tested for locomotor activity and the Sucrose preference test.