Effect of various hypotensive agents on locomotor activity and blood pressure of rats

The effect of various hypotensive agents were simultaneously tested on locomotor activity and blood pressure of unanaesthetised (conscious) rats. The agents viz clonidine, prazosin, furosemide and hexamethonium were found to reduce significantly the locomotor activity as well as blood pressure, 30 min post administration. Phenoxybenzamine and alpha-methyldopa produced similar type of effect but after 60 and 120 min post administration respectively. Aminophylline and propranolol failed to reduce locomotor activity as well as blood pressure, 60 and 90 min post administration. The findings of the present study are strongly indicative that hypotensive agents reduce locomotor activity and that the reduction is sequel to the fall in blood pressure.