Vinpocetine Research Articles

Zero-order release and bioavailability enhancement of poorly water soluble Vinpocetine from self-nanoemulsifying osmotic pump tablet

Solid self-nanoemulsifying (S-SNEDDS) asymmetrically coated osmotic tablets of the poorly water-soluble drug Vinpocetine (VNP) were designed. The aim was to control the release of VNP by the osmotic technology taking advantage of the solubility and bioavailability-enhancing capacity of S-SNEDDS. Liquid SNEDDS loaded with 2.5 mg VNP composed of Maisine™ 35-1, Transcutol® HP, and Cremophor® EL was adsorbed on the solid carrier Aeroperl®. S-SNEDDS was mixed with the osmotic tablet excipients (sodium chloride, Avicel®, HPMC-K4M, PVP-K30, and Lubripharm®), then directly compressed to form the core tablet. The tablets were dip coated and mechanically drilled. A 32*21 full factorial design was adopted. The independent variables were: type of coating material (X1), concentration of coating solution (X2), and number of drills (X3). The dependent variables included % release at 2 h (Y1), at 4 h (Y2), and at 8 h (Y3). The in vivo performance of the optimum formula was assessed in rabbits. Zero-order VNP release was obtained by the single drilled 1.5% Opadry® CA coated osmotic tablets and twofold increase in VNP bioavailability was achieved. The combination of SNEDDS and osmotic pump tablet system was successful in enhancing the solubility and absorption of VNP as well as controlling its release.

Preparation and evaluation of Vinpocetine self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellets

The main objective of this study was to develop a pH gradient release pellet with self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS), which could not only improve the oral bioavailability of Vinpocetine (VIN), a poor soluble drug, but reduce the fluctuation of plasma concentration. First, the liquid VIN SEDDS formulation was prepared. Then the self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellets were prepared by extrusion spheronization technique, and formulation consisted by the liquid SEDDS, absorbent (colloidal silicon dioxide), penetration enhancer (sodium chloride), microcrystalline cellulose, ethyl alcohol, and three coating materials (HPMC, Eudragit L30D55, Eudragit FS30D) were eventually selected. Three kinds of coated pellets were mixed in capsules with the mass ratio of 1:1:1. The release curves of capsules were investigated in vitro under the simulated gastrointestinal conditions. In addition, the oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of VIN self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellets, commercial tablets and liquid VIN SEDDS were evaluated in Beagle dogs. The oral bioavailability of self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellets was about 149.8% of commercial VIN tablets, and it was about 86% of liquid VIN SEDDS, but there were no significant difference between liquid SEDDS and self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellets. In conclusion, the self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellets could significantly enhance the absorption of VIN and effectively achieve a pH gradient release. And the self-emulsifying pH gradient release pellet was a promising method to improve bioavailability of insoluble drugs.

Investigation of the protective and treatment effects of vinpocetine in myocardial infarctional with isoprotenol in rats

As aim of this study, the knowledge of whether vinpocetine (VINPO) is cardioprotective or not following isoprotenol (ISO) induced cardiac ischemia in rats. In myocard infarction, the one of the responsible mechanisms of injury is oxidative damage and inflammmation. The effect of Vinpo which is the potent antioxidant and anti inflammatory agent aimed to reveal as the biochemical, electrophysiological, and histopathologic parameters. In this study, thirty- two Wistar-Albino male rats (in the estimated weight of 250-400gm.) were divided into four groups, each consisting of eight rats. The group 1 named as sham, no any drug used in this group. Group 2 named as iso group, only isoprotenol was adminestered, the group 3 named as vinpo and iso group, here initially vinpocetine then isopretenol were used, and the group 4 named as iso and vinpo, here initially isoprotenol then vinpocetine were used. For the rats in group 2, in first and second day isoprotenol adminestered at a dose of 120mg/kg using an intraperitoneal injection. At third and fourth day no any drug used. And at fifth day the experiment terminated. For the rats in group 3, at the first and second day Vinponcetine adminestered at adose of 20 mg/kg using an intraperitoneal injection, after 30 minute isoprotenol administered at adose of 120mg/kg using an intraperitoneal injection. At third and fourth day no any drug was used. And at fifth day experiment was terminated. Lastly for the rats in group4, first and second day isoprotenol administered at adose of 120mg/kg using an intraperitoneal injection, at third and fourth day vinpocetine adminestered at adose of 20 mg/kg using an intraperitoneal injection, and at fifth day experiment terminated. Prior to termination of experiment the pulse rate and ECG changes were recorded. After completion of experiment protocols blood samples and cardiac tissue samples were recieved. For the knowledge of effects of vinpocetine experimental miyocardial ischemia induced in rats, and the serum myoglobulin, total creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), measured. In myocardial tissue as an antioxidative system and an oxidative stres markers; malonylaldehate (MDA), Superoxidedismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathionperoxidase (GPx), GSH, Total oxidant status (TOS),Total antioxidant status(TAS),Oxidative stres index (OSI) studied. As a result, Vinpocetin showed positive impact on cardiac functions. With all of these for the best clear results, advanced studies are needed.

Different chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of vitamin E and vinpocetine in their combined dosage form and in the presence of the alkaline-induced degradation product of vinpocetine

Accurate, selective, and sensitive thin-layer chromatography (TLC)—densitometry and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) methods have been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of vitamin E (VIT E) and vinpocetine (VINP) in the presence of the alkaline-induced degradation product of vinpocetine (DEG). The proposed TLC—densitometric method depends on the separation and quantitation of VIT E, VINP, and VINP alkaline-induced degradation product on TLC silica gel 60 F254 plates, using methanol—chloroform—ethyl acetate—glacial acetic acid—ammonia solution (6:2:2:0.5:0.1, by volume) as the developing system followed by densitometric measurement at 235 nm. The studied components were well resolved from each other with significantly different RF values of 0.81, 0.62, and 0.41 for VIT E, VINP, and DEG, respectively. On the other hand, the developed RP-HPLC method was based on the separation of the studied components using 0.05 M KH2PO4 (adjusted to pH = 3) and methanol in gradient elution mode on C8 column at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min−1 and ultraviolet (UV) detection at 235 nm. The studied components were well resolved from each other with significantly different Rt values of 10.90, 2.89, and 1.90 min for VIT E, VINP, and DEG, respectively. The developed methods were validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines demonstrating good accuracy and precision. The results were statistically compared with those obtained by the reported method, and no significant difference was found. The developed methods are the first developed stability-indicating assay methods (SIAMs) for the analysis of the studied binary mixture.

Stability Indicating Spectrophotometric Methods for Determination of Vitamin E and Vinpocetine in Their Combined Dosage Form

Stability indicating spectrophotometric methods have been developed and validated for determination of Vitamin E (VIT E) and Vinpocetine (VINP) in presence of alkaline induced degradation product of Vinpocetine (DEG) without prior separation. In method (A), two wavelengths were selected for each drug in such a way that the difference in absorbance was zero for the other drugs. Absorbance difference between 217.4 and 234.4 nm were used to determine VIT E while difference between 250.4 and 314.0 nm were selected for VINP determination and the difference between 258.6 and 312.0 nm were selected to determine DEG. In method (B), area under the curve method (AUC) was used for measuring VINP concentration by direct measuring AUC in the range of 330-350 nm, at which no interference from other components. While for determination of VIT E and DEG, the ternary mixture was divided by standard spectrum of 6 μg/mL VINP, in the obtained ratio spectra VIT E and DEG has been directly determined at 210.0 and 230.0 nm, respectively. In method (C), VIT E and DEG were determined by second derivative of ratio spectra (2DD) method by measuring their peak amplitudes at 215.2 and 237.2 nm, respectively, using 6 μg/mL standard spectrum of VINP as a divisor, while the absorbance at isoabsorptive point (λiso=264.4 nm) was used to determine the total concentration of VINP and DEG (where no contribution from VIT E) in the mixture and then by subtraction, VINP concentration could be obtained. The developed methods were validated according to ICH guidelines revealing good accuracy and precision. The results obtained by the proposed methods were statistically compared with those obtained by the reported HPLC methods and no significant difference was obtained. These methods are the first developed SIAM ones for analysis of the studied components.

Salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine combined with vinpocetine in the treatment of patients with cerebral infarction

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine combined with vinpocetine in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods Atotal of 206 patients with cerebral infarction were randomly divided into a control group and a combined treatment group according to the random number table, 103 in each group. The control group was treated with aspirin and vinpocetine, the combined treatment group received Salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine injection on the basis of the control group. The serum contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), as well as the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were detected before and after the treatment. The electroencephalography (EEG) amplitudes and the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were recorded before and after the treatment . Results In the combined treatment group, the serum content of MDA was significantly decreased (151.36 ± 11.36 mmol/L vs. 62.23 ± 4.11 mmol/L; t=74.878, P<0.01), while the serum content of NO (110.31 ± 9.51 mmol/L vs. 154.23 ± 12.21 mmol/L; t=28.801, P<0.05) and the serum levels of SOD (55.52 ± 4.47 U/ml vs. 85.39 ± 7.21 U/ml; t=35.735, P<0.05) and NOS (115.21 ± 8.39 mmol/L vs. 190.12 ± 11.29 mmol/L; t=54.049, P<0.01) were significantly increased than before the treatment. The rCBF (39.39 ± 2.45 ml/100 g•min vs. 69.95 ± 4.25 ml/100 g•min; t=32.385, P<0.05) and EEG (62.41% ± 4.58% vs. 97.02% ± 9.67%; t=31.012, P<0.05) in the combined treatment group were significantly increased than before the treatment. The total efficiency rate in the combined treatment group was significant higher than that in the control group (88.3% vs. 66.9%; χ2=12.343, P=0.004). Conclusions Salvia miltiorrhiza and ligustrazine combined with vinpocetine has a beneficial therapeutic effect in patients with cerebral infarction, and it is probably associated with increasing cerebral blood flow and enhancing antioxidant activity. Key words: Brain infarction; Chinese herbal; Salvia miltiorrhiza; Chuanxiongzine; Vinca alkaloids; Antioxidants (TCD)

Excipient-assisted vinpocetine nanoparticles: experiments and molecular dynamic simulations.

Hydrophilic excipients can be used to increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. In this work, the conventional water-soluble pharmaceutical excipients hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and lactose (LAC) were used as solid supports to prevent drug nanoparticles from aggregation and enhance drug dissolution. Excipient-assisted vinpocetine (VIN) nanoparticles were prepared by reactive precipitation. The analysis results indicated that HPMC was a suitable excipient to prepare VIN nanoparticles. VIN/HPMC nanoparticles had a mean size of 130 nm within a narrow distribution. The dissolution rate of VIN nanoparticles was significantly faster than those of a physical mixture of VIN/HPMC and raw VIN. VIN/HPMC nanoparticles had a higher dissolution profile than VIN/PVP and VIN/LAC nanoparticles. Besides, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was applied to investigate the molecular interactions between VIN and excipients. The calculated results revealed that VIN interacted with excipients by Coulomb and Lennard-Jones (LJ) interactions. Few hydrogen bonds were formed between VIN and excipients. The HPMC affording smaller particle size may be a result of the stronger interactions between VIN and HPMC (mainly LJ interaction) and the property of HPMC. These characteristics may greatly influence the adsorption behavior and may be the crucial parameter for the better performance of HPMC.

Development and evaluation of vinpocetine inclusion complex for brain targeting

The objective of this paper is to prepare vinpocetine (VIN) inclusion complex and evaluate its brain targeting effect after intranasal administration. In the present study, VIN inclusion complex was prepared in order to increase its solubility. Stability constant (Kc) was used for host selection. Factors influencing properties of the inclusion complex was investigated. Formation of the inclusion complex was identified by solubility study and DSC analysis. The brain targeting effect of the complex after intranasal administration was studied in rats. It was demonstrated that properties of the inclusion complex was mainly influenced by cyclodextrin type, organic acids type, system pH and host/guest molar ratio. Multiple component complexes can be formed by the addition of citric acid, with solubility improved for more than 23 times. Furthermore, In vivo study revealed that after intranasal administration, the absolute bioavailability of vinpocetine inclusion complex was 88%. Compared with intravenous injection, significant brain targeting effect was achieved after intranasal delivery, with brain targeting index 1.67. In conclusion, by intranasal administration of VIN inclusion complex, a fast onset of action and good brain targeting effect can be achieved. Intranasal route is a promising approach for the treatment of CNS diseases.

A novel oral delivery system consisting in “drug-in cyclodextrin-in nanostructured lipid carriers” for poorly water-soluble drug: Vinpocetine

The purpose of this study was to develop a new delivery system based on drug cyclodextrin (CD) complexation and loading into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to improve the oral bioavailability of vinpocetine (VP). Three different CDs and three different methods to obtain solid vinpocetine-cyclodextrin-tartaric acid complexes (VP-CD-TA) were contrasted. The co-evaporation vinpocetine-β-cyclodextrin-tartaric acid loaded NLC (VP-β-CD-TA COE-loaded NLC) was obtained by emulsification ultrasonic dispersion method. VP-β-CD-TA COE-loaded NLC was suitably characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and the morphology. The crystallization of drug in VP-CD-TA and NLC was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The in vitro release study was carried out at pH 1.2, pH 6.8 and pH 7.4 medium. New Zealand rabbits were applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior in vivo. The VP-β-CD-TA COE-loaded NLC presented a superior physicochemical property and selected to further study. In the in vitro release study, VP-β-CD-TA COE-loaded NLC exhibited a higher dissolution rate in the pH 6.8 and pH 7.4 medium than VP suspension and VP-NLC. The relative bioavailability of VP-β-CD-TA COE-loaded NLC was 592% compared with VP suspension and 92% higher than VP-NLC. In conclusion, the new formulation significantly improved bioavailability of VP for oral delivery, demonstrated a perspective way for oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

The curative effect of stroke unit joint vinpocetine in treatment of patients with acute cerebral infarction

目的 探讨采用卒中单元联合长春西汀注射液治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效.方法 选择急性脑梗死患者150例,按数字表法随机分为对照组(72例)和治疗组(78例),对照组采用传统常规内科治疗,治疗组在对照组治疗基础上采用卒中单元联合长春西汀注射液治疗.治疗前后对两组患者进行神经功能缺损评分(NIHSS)及日常生活活动能力评定(BI),比较两组治疗效果.结果 治疗组治疗后NIHSS、BI评分改善均优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(t=12.1876、10.3567,均P<0.01);两组总有效率差异有统计学意义(χ2=8.3448,P<0.01).结论 采用卒中单元联合长春西汀注射液能显著改善急性脑梗死患者神经功能,显著提高患者日常生活活动能力,疗效确切。

Brain targeted solid lipid nanoparticles for brain ischemia: preparation and in vitro characterization

This study aims at formulating solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Vinpocetine (VIN) to be used as a brain targeted sustained drug-delivery system. VIN is a derivative of vincamine alkaloid, used for chronic cerebral vascular ischemia. However, it suffers from low bioavailability and short half-life. Its oral bioavailability is recorded to be between 7 and 55%. Its elimination half-life is 1–2 h so it would be a good candidate for a sustained drug-delivery system. VIN SLNs were prepared using modified high shear homogenization followed by ultrasonication technique. The effect of incorporating different lipids at different concentrations of various surfactants was investigated. The VIN SLNs were characterized by entrapment efficiency percent (EE%), particle size distribution, zeta-potential, and cumulative released percent after 96 h. The EE% ranged between 83.34% ± 0.95–94.56% ± 0.11 due to the lipophilic character of VIN. The mean particle size measured ranged from 123 nm–464 nm. The cumulative released percent after 96 h ranged from 23.55% to 75.67% showing a controlled release profile. Formula (F32) composed of 5% glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and stabilized by 2% surfactant mixture [Tween 80, Pluronic F 68 (1:1)] was the most appropriate formula for brain delivery having EE% of 89.09% ± 1.49, zero-order release kinetics with cumulative released percent of 72.12% after 96 h, zeta-potential of –11.3 ± 0.97 mV. It showed a unimodal size distribution with particle size ≈90 nm and polydispersity index of 0.121. The formula of choice in this study exhibited a zero-order sustained release profile and met the requirement for a brain targeted SLN so it could be a promising formula to deliver VIN to the brain.

Studies on the binding of vinpocetine to human serum albumin by molecular spectroscopy and modeling

The interaction between vinpocetine (VPC) and human serum albumin (HSA) in physiological buffer (pH 7.40) was investigated by fluorescence, FT-IR, UV–vis absorption and molecular modeling. VPC effectively quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA via static quenching. The binding site number n and apparent binding constant Ka, corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH and ΔS at different temperatures were calculated. The synchronous fluorescence and FT-IR spectra were used to investigate the structural change of HSA molecules with addition of VPC. Molecular modeling indicated that VPC could bind to the site I of HSA and hydrophobic interaction was the major acting force, which was in agreement with the binding mode study.

The efficacy of edaravone combined with vinpocetine for ac ute cerebral infarction

Objective To observe the efficacy of edaravone combined with vinpocetine in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction.Methods 60 patients were randomly assigned to receive combination therapy with edaravone and vinpocetine ( 30 patients,study group ),or vinpocetine alone ( 30 patients,control group ).Both groups also received basic treatment.Results There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in total effectiveness rate( 100％ vs.70％,P＜ 0.05 ）, and the study group was superior to the control group in the efficacy.Conclusion Combination therapy with edaravone and vinpocetine can markedly increase the efficacy in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction.It is worth popularizing in clinical practice. Key words: Edaravone; Vinpocetine; Acute cerebral infarction; Efficacy

Piracetam and vinpocetine ameliorate rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats

Objective:To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the nootropic drugs, piracetam (PIR) and vinpocetine (VIN), in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats.Materials and Methods:Sixty male rats were divided into 6 groups of 10 rats each. The groups were administered vehicle, control (rotenone, 1.5 mg/kg/48 h/6 doses, s.c.), PIR (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and VIN (3 and 6 mg/kg/day, p.o.). The motor performance of the rats was evaluated by the open field and pole test. Striatal dopamine level, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed. Histopathological study of the substantia nigra was also done.Results:Results showed that rotenone-treated rats exhibited bradykinesia and motor impairment in the open-field test. In addition, GSH level was decreased whereas MDA and TNF-α increased in striata of rotenone-treated rats as compared to vehicle-treated rats. Marked degeneration of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) neurons and depletion of striatal dopamine was also observed in the rotenone-treated rats. Treatment with PIR or VIN significantly reversed the locomotor deficits and increased striatal dopamine level. Treatment with VIN significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the striatal level of MDA and GSH in comparison to rotenone group whereas TNF-α production was found to be significantly decreased in PIR group (P < 0.05).Conclusion:VIN and PIR exhibit neuroprotective activity in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism. Hence, these nootropic agents may be considered as possible candidates in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Preparation andIn Vitro/In VivoEvaluation of Vinpocetine Elementary Osmotic Pump System

Preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of vinpocetine (VIN) elementary osmotic pump (EOP) formulations were investigated. A method for the preparation of VIN elementary osmotic pump tablet was obtained by adding organic acid additives to increase VIN solubility. VIN was used as the active pharmaceutical ingredient, lactose and mannitol as osmotic agent. Citric acid was used as increasing API solubility and without resulting in the API degradation. It is found that the VIN release rate was increasing with the citric acid amount at a constant range. Cellulose acetate 398-3 was employed as semipermeable membrane containing polyethylene glycol 6000 and diethyl-o-phthalate as pore-forming agent and plasticizer for controlling membrane permeability. In addition, a clear difference between the pharmacokinetic patterns of VIN immediate release and VIN elementary osmotic pump formulations was revealed. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve after oral administration of elementary osmotic pump formulations was equivalent to VIN immediate release formulation. Furthermore, significant differences found for mean residence time, elimination half-life, and elimination rate constant values corroborated prolonged release of VIN from elementary osmotic pump formulations. These results suggest that the VIN osmotic pump controlled release tablets have marked controlled release characters and the VIN osmotic pump controlled release tablets and the normal tablets were bioequivalent.

Determination of vinpocetine and its primary metabolite, apovincaminic acid, in rat plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A precise and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of vinpocetine (VP) and its primary metabolite, apovincaminic acid (AVA), in rat plasma was developed and validated. The analytes and the internal standard-dimenhydrinate were extracted from 50 μL aliquots of rat plasma via solid–liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a run time of 3.5 min on a C 18 column under isocratic conditions. Detection of analytes and IS was done by tandem mass spectrometry, operating in positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode. The protonated precursor to product ion transitions monitored for VP, AVA and IS were m/ z 351.4 → 280.2, 323.2 → 280.2 and 256.2 → 167.3 respectively. The method was fully validated for its sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy and precision, matrix effect, stability study and dilution integrity. A linear dynamic range of 0.5–500 ng/mL for both VP and AVA was evaluated with mean correlation coefficient ( r) of 0.9970 and 0.9984 respectively. The precision of the assay (RSD%) was less than 8.55% at all concentrations levels for both VP and AVA. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of VP in rats after intravenous (1 mg/kg) and oral (1 mg/kg) administration.

Preparation and characterization of vinpocetine loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for improved oral bioavailability

The purpose of this study is to develop an optimized nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) formulation for vinpocetine (VIN), and to estimate the potential of NLC as oral delivery system for poorly water-soluble drug. In this work, VIN–loaded NLC (VIN–NLC) was prepared by a high pressure homogenization method. The VIN–NLC showed spherical morphology with smooth surface under transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. The average encapsulation efficiency was 94.9 ± 0.4%. The crystallization of drug in NLC was investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The drug was in an amorphous state in the NLC matrix. In the in vitro release study, VIN–NLC showed a sustained release profile of VIN and no obviously burst release was observed. The oral bioavailability study of VIN was carried out using Wistar rats. The relative bioavailability of VIN–NLC was 322% compared with VIN suspension. In conclusion, the NLC formulation remarkably improved the oral bioavailability of VIN and demonstrated a promising perspective for oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Effect of parenteral or oral vinpocetine on the hemorheological parameters of patients with chronic cerebrovascular diseases

Hemorheological factors play an important role in the pathomechanism of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders. Abnormal rheological conditions in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease predispose for recurrent strokes. Vinpocetine (VP), a synthetic ethyl esther of apovincamine, has successfully been used in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, in part because of its favourable rheological effects. The study investigates the hemorheological changes in 40 patients in the chronic stage of ischemic cardiovascular disease after administration of vinpocetine. All patients received a high dose of intravenous VP in doses gradually increased to l mg/kg/day. In addition, 20 patients (mean age: 61+/-8 years) received 30 mg VP orally for 3 months. The other 20 patients (mean age: 59+/-6 years), who received placebo tablets, served as controls. Hemorheological parameters (hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen, whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation and deformability) were evaluated at 1 and 3 months. The high-dose parenteral VP significantly decreased red blood cell aggregation, plasma and whole blood viscosity (p < 0.05) compared to the initial values. In patients with additional oral treatment, plasma and whole blood viscosities were significantly lower compared to the placebo patients at 3 months (p < 0.05). Our results confirmed the beneficial rheological effects of high-dose parenteral VP (partially caused by hemodilution) observed previously, and also warrant its long-term oral admission to maintain the beneficial rheological changes.

Comparison of acute, chronic and post-treatment effects of carbamazepine and vinpocetine on hearing loss and seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine

Objective To compare the acute, chronic and post-treatment effects of the classic antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) and the potential antiepileptic vinpocetine (VPC), successfully used in the treatment of brain vascular origin disorders, on 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced increase in auditory threshold, brain-auditory-evoked-potentials (BAEPs) later waves alterations and epileptiform activity. Methods BAEP and EEG recordings before and following 4-AP (3 mg/kg, i.p.) were obtained in guinea pigs. One week after, the animals received a daily injection (i.p.) of vehicle, 3 mg/kg VPC or 17 mg/kg CBZ for 13 days. The acute and chronic effects before and following 4-AP were tested at the 1st and last days, respectively, and the post-treatment effect 1 month after the end of treatment. Results CBZ and 4-AP increased BAEPs threshold and BAEPs P4 wave latency. Chronic CBZ inhibited 4-AP-induced increase in P3 amplitude. In the VPC-treated group, all the 4-AP-induced BAEPs changes were prevented. Seizures were prevented in 50% and 75% of the animals by chronic CBZ and VPC, respectively. After acute VPC and after the end of VPC-treatment 4-AP failed to induce seizures in 50% of the animals. Conclusion VPC inhibits 4-AP-induced seizures and hearing loss, even after post-treatment, at a concentration about 10 times lower than CBZ. Significance The complications in hearing that can accompany epilepsy can be prevented by VPC, indicating its advantage as an alternative antiepileptic.

O.112 Vinpocetine as a modulator of Aquaporin 1 and 4

O.112 Vinpocetine as a modulator of Aquaporin 1 and 4