title: The effect of isoquinoline alkaloids on opiate withdrawal.
abstract: Our interest has been centered on isoquinoline alkaloids obtained from Argemone mexicana (Papaveraceae), Aristolochia constricta (Aristolochiaceae) and the opium alkaloid, papaverine. In this respect, the effect of these isoquinoline alkaloids was investigated on contractions induced by naloxone of isolated guinea pig ileum acutely exposed to morphine in vitro. The activity of these alkaloids was compared to the control compound, papaverine. Furthermore, the effect of these isoquinoline alkaloids was also determined on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in isolated guinea pig ileum exposed to DAMGO (highly selective mu opioid receptor agonist) and U50-488H (highly selective kappa opioid receptor agonist) to test whether the possible interaction of isoquinoline alkaloids on opioid withdrawal involves mu- and/or kappa-opioid receptors. Isoquinoline alkaloids from A. mexicana (from 5 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-4) M), from A. constricta (1 x 10(-5) x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-4) M) as well as papaverine treatment (1 x 10(-7)-5 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-6) M) before or after the opioid agonists were able of both preventing and reversing the naloxone-induced contraction after exposure to mu (morphine and DAMGO) or kappa (U50-488H) opiate receptor agonists in a concentration-dependent manner. Both acetylcholine response and electrical stimulation were also reduced by isoquinoline alkaloids and papaverine treatment as well as the final opiate withdrawal was still reduced. The results of the present study indicate that isoquinoline alkaloids as well as papaverine were able to produce significant influence on the opiate withdrawal in vitro and these compounds were able to exert their effects both at mu and kappa opioid agonists.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084, Italy. annacap@unisa.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piacente
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Tommasi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rastrelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pizza
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D007546:Isoquinolines; D009270:Naloxone