Possible Pharmacodynamic Interaction of Azelnidipine with Citicoline Against Ischemic Brain Injury: Behavioral, Biochemical and Histological Alterations

BACKGROUND Currently, no drug has been approved for the management of postischemic neuronal damage. Existing studies show that calcium channel blockers have neuroprotective properties, while citicoline is involved in maintaining neuronal integrity. PURPOSE This study was envisaged to investigate the effect of azelnidipine (novel calcium channel blocker) alone and in combination with citicoline (phosphatidyl-choline analogue) against ischemic brain damage in Wistar rats. METHODS Previously standardized bilateral common carotid artery occlusion model was used to induce cerebral ischemic injury in Wistar rats. Pretreatment with azelnidipine (1.5 mg/Kg and 3 mg/Kg; p.o.) or citicoline (250 mg/Kg; i.p.) was done every 24 h starting 7 days before the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery. Pharmacological assessments (behavioral, biochemical, mitochondrial, molecular, and histological) were done after 48 h of the reperfusion period. RESULTS Azelnidipine and citicoline were found to protect the brain from progressive neuronal damage as seen by improved sensorimotor behavior (locomotion, rota rod, and beam balance performance) and reduced oxidative stress (decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, increased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD)). Impairment of mitochondrial enzyme system and increase in the infarct area were found to be arrested by individual treatments with azelnidipine and citicoline. These effects were further potentiated synergistically as the combination of citicoline and azelnidipine was found to decrease glutamate levels, caspase-3 activity and histological alterations as compared to their individual effects. CONCLUSION Azelnidipine and citicoline synergistically decrease excitotoxic and oxidative damage against ischemic brain injury in Wistar rats and, therefore, propose a clinically relevant combination for the prevention of postischemic neuronal damage.