title: Preliminary evaluation of manassantin A, a potential neuroleptic agent from Saururus cernuus.
abstract: Manassantin A (MNS-A), a novel dineolignan isolated from Saururus cernuus was evaluated for its central depressant effects. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of MNS-A to mice at nontoxic doses caused a decrease in spontaneous motor activity and inhibition of amphetamine-induced stereotypy, with an ED50 of 0.21 +/- 0.02 mg/kg for its antiamphetamine activity. Doses of MNS-A up to the LD50 did not produce catalepsy and ptosis as were observed with haloperidol used as a reference drug. The compound caused a dose-dependent hypothermia, while haloperidol was not very effective in this test. Potentiation of pentobarbital-sleeping time was observed to be of comparable degree with both drugs. In spite of the higher toxicity (acute LD50 5.4 +/- 0.2 mg/kg, IP) than that shown by haloperidol, the somewhat selective neuroleptic profile of MNS-A makes it an interesting candidate for more detailed studies.
mesh_terms: D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002375:Catalepsy / Q000139:chemically induced; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D017705:Lignans; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005663:Furans; D017705:Lignans; C054895:manassantin A; D000661:Amphetamine; D006220:Haloperidol