A comparative study of anxiogenic effects of fluoroquinolones in rats

The present study compares the anxiogenic effects of three fluoroquinolones namely ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin in rats using elevated plus-maze. The rats were treated with 12.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or pefloxacin and then tested in elevated plus-maze half an hour later, for a period of 5 min. All the three fluoroquinolones decreased the time spent in open arm considerably. This decrease was statistically significant only with the higher doses of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (P < 0.05). Mean time spent in closed arm was increased by all the test drugs in both the doses. Increase was statistically significant with both the doses of ofloxacin (P < 0.05). Mean time spent in closed arm was increased by all the test drugs in both the doses. Increase was statistically significant with both the doses of ofloxacin (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively) and higher doses of ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 respectively). The number of entries in open arm and closed arm were decreased by both the doses of the three fluoroquinolones used in the study. The reduction in total number of arm entries by ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin in both the doses was highly significant. The results suggest definite anxiogenic potential of fluoroquinolones.