Evaluation of the effects of cholinergic drugs on the spontaneous muscular activity of isometrically mounted Paramphistomum cervi

In the present investigation, the effect of various neuropharmacological agents was studied on spontaneous muscular activity of Paramphistomum cervi. The cholinergic agonists (acetylcholine chloride, carbamylcholine, nicotine sulphate) and antagonist (atropine sulphate) was investigated at 10−7 M to 10−3M concentration and their effect on spontaneous muscular activity of the parasite was recorded. Acetylcholine chloride failed to modify the normal muscular activity while cholinergic agonists, carbamylcholine and nicotine sulphate caused reduction in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of the isometrically mounted rumen fluke. However, atropine sulphate which acts as cholinergic antagonist produced dose dependent excitation of the rumen fluke.