Anticonvulsant action of cannabis in the rat: role of brain monoamines.
The role of brain monoamines in the anticonvulsant action of Cannabis indica resin (CI), against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in albino rats, was investigated by using pharmacologic agents that influence brain monoamine activity. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabis resin was estimated to be 17%. The anticonvulsant action of CI (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was significantly inhibited after pretreatment with drugs that reduce brain serotonin activity but not by drugs that reduce brain catecholamine activity. Similarly, the anticonvulsant action of a subanticonvulsant dose (50 mg/kg, i.p.) of CI was potentiated by serotonin precursors but not by catecholamine precursors. Potentiation of the anticonvulsant action of CI by nialamide or by imipramine was inhibited after pretreatment with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine. The results suggest that the anticonvulsant action of CI in the rat is serotonin- and not catecholamine-mediated.
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002188:Cannabis; D004597:Electroshock; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000187:drug effects; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009526:Nialamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001679:Biogenic Amines; D012110:Reserpine; D001058:Apomorphine; D007099:Imipramine; D009526:Nialamide