Comparative Study on Potentiation of Analgesic Activity of Tramadol by Amlodipine and Cilnidipine in Rat Model

Cilnidipine blocks both L-type and N-type calcium channels and some DHPs can block other subtypes of calcium channels (N, P/Q, R types) and also suggests that DHPs are no longer considered specific L-type blockers. Antinociception was found to be due to the blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels. The study was conducted by using Wistar male albino rats weighing 150–200 grams in good health. The animals were divided into four groups, each group containing six rats, Group I: Control (normal saline), Group II: Tramadol (10mg /Kg), Group III: Tramadol (10mg /Kg) +Amlodipine (5mg/Kg), and Group IV: Tramadol (10mg /Kg) +Cilnidipine (1mg/Kg). Tail flick and hot plate methods were used to evaluate the analgesic effects where group IV had better analgesic effects when compared to the other 3 groups. Hence, Cilnidipine can be preferred in elderly patients who are suffering from hypertension along with neuropathic pain, which can reduce multidrug exposure and increase patient compliance.