Behavioural pharmacology of polygalasaponins indicates potential antipsychotic efficacy.
Polygalasaponins were extracted from a plant (Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow) that has been prescribed for hundreds of years to treat psychotic illnesses in Korean traditional medicine. Previous in vitro binding studies suggested a potential mechanism for its antipsychotic action, as polygalasaponin was shown to have an affinity for both dopamine and serotonin receptors [Psychopharmacol. Bull. 31 (1995) 139.]. In the present study we have investigated the functional in vivo actions of this material in tests that are predictive of dopamine and serotonin antagonist activities. Polygalasaponin (25-500 mg/kg) was shown to produce a dose-related reduction in the apomorphine-induced climbing behaviour (minimum effective dose [ED(min)] 25 mg/kg ip, 250 mg/kg sc and po), the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP)-induced serotonin syndrome (ED(min) 50 mg/kg ip) and the MK-801-induced hyperactivity (ED(min) 25 mg/kg ip) in mice. This compound also reduced the cocaine-induced hyperactivity (ED(min) 25 mg/kg ip) in rats. These results demonstrated that polygalasaponin has dopamine and serotonin receptor antagonist properties in vivo. This might suggest its possible utility as an antipsychotic agent.
Chung
In-Won
IW
Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 62 Kaeshin-Dong, Hungdok-Gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-711, South Korea.
Moore
Nicholas A
NA
Oh
Won-Keun
WK
O'Neill
Michael F
MF
Ahn
Jong-Seog
JS
Park
Joo-Bae
JB
Kang
Ung Gu
UG
Kim
Yong Sik
YS
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D031801:Polygala; D051381:Rats; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012503:Saponins; C407311:tenuifolic saponin