Dose-Dependent Hepatotoxic and Cardiotoxic Effects of Amlodipine in Wistar Rats

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of premature deaths worldwide because of hypertension, a common condition that greatly raises the risk of heart disease, brain abnormalities, and renal malfunction. Reaching more than a billion people worldwide, low- and middle-income nations are the main areas where the illness is found. In order to lessen vascular smooth muscle contraction and increase vasodilation, amlodipine, a drug often used for hypertension, inhibits L-type calcium channels. Daily use is appropriate due to its extended half-life and excellent bioavailability. This study looks at how amlodipine affects the liver and cardiac tissues of Wistar rats from a histological, biochemical, and physical perspective. For the duration of the trial, a standard pellet diet and water were provided to the control group (Group A, n = 4) of the twenty rats utilised in this study. The drug was administered using a 0-10µl micropipette with appropriate tips, and an oral gavage was used to ensure accurate delivery into the animals' mouths. This study found significant dose-dependent increases in liver enzyme levels (p<0.05) in the treatment groups compared to the control, indicative of potential liver toxicity indicative of potential liver toxicity. Histological analysis showed normal heart tissue at lower doses but mild degenerative changes at higher doses. Liver tissues exhibited minor inflammatory responses at higher doses. These findings emphasize the importance of ongoing safety assessments for antihypertensive medications to ensure their long-term safety.