ABSTRACT
Background: Atherosclerosis and its complications remain the major cause of death and premature disability. Atherogenesis involves elements of infl ammation, a process that now provides a unifying theme in the pathogenesis of the disease. Anti-platelet drugs are currently used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and its complications. Our study evaluated the infl uence of clopidogrel on acute and sub-acute models of infl ammation in male Wistar rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided into three groups, i.e. control, aspirin and clopidogrel (n=6 animals in each group). The effect of clopidogrel administered orally on infl ammation was studied using acute (carrageenan-induced rat paw edema) and sub-acute (cotton pellet granuloma and histopathological examination of grass piths) models. Experiment was conducted according to the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision on Experiments on Animals guidelines. Analysis was done using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc test of Dunnets. p<0.05 was considered as statistically signifi cant. Results: Clopidogrel showed signifi cant inhibition of rat paw edema in acute model (p<0.01) and granuloma dry weight, in sub-acute model of infl ammation when compared to control (p<0.01). Histopathological examination of grass pith revealed markedly reduced fi broblasts, granulation tissue, fi brous tissue and collagen in clopidogrel group when compared to control. Conclusion: Clopidogrel exhibited a signifi cant anti-infl ammatory activity in acute and sub-acute models of infl ammation.