Calcium enhances antiinflammatory activity of aspirin in albino rats

Objective: To evaluate the effects of calcium carbonate and calcium gluconate on acute and subacute inflammation, and to study their possible interactions with aspirin, verapamil and magnesium sulphate. Materials and Methods: Calcium carbonate in the dose of 10, 25, 50 mg/kg, calcium gluconate in the dose of 5, 10, 25, 50 mg/kg, and aspirin in the dose of 54, 200 mg/kg were administered orally in different groups of albino rats, to study their effect on inflammation induced by carrageenan or a foreign body. Aspirin (54 mg/kg) was administered either with calcium carbonate (10 mg/kg) or calcium gluconate (5 mg/kg) to separate groups in order to study their interaction, especially with reference to gastric ulceration. Similarly, possible interactions of verapamil (4 mg/kg) with calcium carbonate (10 mg/kg) and magnesium sulfate (500 mg/kg) with calcium carbonate (50 mg/kg) were also studied. Results: Both calcium carbonate and calcium gluconate produced significant antiinflammatory activity in acute as well as subacute inflammation models and was comparable to that of aspirin. Sub-antiinflammatory dose of calcium salts potentiated the antiinflammatory activity of aspirin. Verapamil also potentiated the anti-inflammatory activity of calcium carbonate while magnesium sulfate antagonized the antiinflammatory activity of calcium carbonate in both the models of inflammation. Conclusion: Co-administration of calcium salt potentiated the antiinflammatory response and minimized the gastro-toxicity of aspirin.