Antiangiogenic Potential of Levetiracetam by Blocking N-type Voltage Gated Calcium Channels

Objectives: Angiogenesis is generation of micro vessels. These ion channels on endothelium play vital functions in cell proliferation, migration, cell volume expansion and in related angiogenesis. Our study aims to evaluate the antiangiogenic capability of Levetiracetam, a N-type voltage gated calcium channel blocker. Methods: Anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated by MTT cell viability assay, Morphological screening assay, Zebra fish caudal fin assay and Zebra fish embryo assay using different concentrations of levetiracetam, standard drug Bevacizumab and control. The parameters assessed were percentage viability in MTT, change in the cell shape or volume microscopically in morphological screening assay, percentage regeneration of amputated fin in caudal assay and percentage neovascularization in zebra fish embryo assay. Results: The results suggest that levetiracetam treatment significantly inhibited Hep G2 cells viability and cell volume expansion, which are the further steps in the endothelial cell proliferation. Arrest in neovascularization caused various phonotypical changes in the zebra fish embryo has been captured us by microscope. A significant decrease in fin regeneration was observed. Conclusion: The findings statistically validate the antiangiogenic potential of levetiracetam. The antiangiogenic property might be due to the blocking of N-type voltage gated calcium channels, which are largely located in the endothelial cells.