Protective effect of diltiazem on cyanide-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar strain rats.

Cyanide is a well-established poison known for its rapid lethal action and toxicity. The central nervous system is one of the main target sites for cyanide toxicity. Cyanide not only alters brain biogenic amine levels but also the intracellular calcium levels in the neuronal cells. In the present study the role of calcium channel blocker diltiazem (DIL) in cyanide induced biogenic amine changes was evaluated in the Wistar strain rats. The protective effect of diltiazem pretreatment and diltiazem treatment along with cyanide on the dopaminergic system and the serotonergic system in the corpus striatum were studied. Diltiazem pretreatment was found to prevent cyanide induced changes in both the amines in the corpus striatum. These results suggest that diltiazem may mitigate the harmful effects of cyanide by interfering with influx of calcium ions and release of the biogenic amines.