title: Putative site(s) and mechanism(s) of action of flupirtine, a novel analgesic compound.
abstract: The mechanisms of the antinociceptive action of flupirtine, a novel non-opioid analgesic, were investigated in animals. It was found that this effect could be abolished by pre-treatment with reserpine. Furthermore, it could be dose-dependently antagonized by yohimbine and changes in the EEG of the rat observed after administration of flupirtine were closely related to those obtained after giving clonidine. On these pharmacological results, it is likely that the antinociceptive activity of flupirtine is due to activation of descending noradrenergic pathways.
authors.affiliation: Biological Research Pharmacology, Homburg Degussa Pharma Gruppe, Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szelenyi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nickel
mesh_terms: D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D004569:Electroencephalography; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000631:Aminopyridines; D000700:Analgesics; D015016:Yohimbine; D012110:Reserpine; D003000:Clonidine; C034161:flupirtine