CV-159 is a unique dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonist with antiinflammatory activities. It has an anti-calmodulin (CaM) action.

CV-159 (0.1-10 μM) obviously inhibits TNF-α (10 ng/ml, 24 h)-induced VCAM-1 in SMCs in a concentrationdependent manner. CV-159 (10 μM) inhibits TNF (24 h)-induced expression of e-selectin but not vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1.CV-159 (10 μM, 30 min) obviously inhibits the TNF-induced ROS production [1]. CV-159 inhibits TNF (20 min)-induced phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and NF-κB p65 (Ser536) [2].

CV-159 decreases the size of the brain infarct after permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. CV-159 (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) gives obviously protection against delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region of the rats after 15-min transient forebrain ischemia. CV-159 obviously reduces the increase in the water content of the infarcted cortex induced by MCA occlusion [3].