Effects of a Palicourea marcgravii leaf extract on some dopamine-related behaviors of rats.
The effects of a Palicourea marcgravii leaf extract on some dopamine-related behaviors were studied in rats. The extract given subcutaneously decreased both spontaneous locomotion and rearing frequencies of rats observed in open-field studies and increased their periods of immobility. The extract was also able to produce a rightward displacement of the apomorphine dose-response curve for stereotyped behavior and decrease the maximum response possible. Although the extract (1.87 g/kg subcutaneously) was unable to produce true catalepsy by itself, it potentiated that induced by haloperidol. These results with the extract can be interpreted to be due to a direct blocking action for the extract on a mesostriatal dopamine receptor or to an indirect effect on dopamine pathways through central cholinergic activation.
Górniak
S L
SL
Laboratory of Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Palermo-Neto
J
J
de Souza-Spinosa
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002375:Catalepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D010936:Plant Extracts; D006220:Haloperidol; D001058:Apomorphine