Effects of harmane, norharmane and harmine on apomorphine-induced pecking behavior in chick
.(Received 3 January, 2009; Accepted 27 May, 2009)AbstractBackground and purpose: -carboline alkaloids, also known as harmala's alkaloids have a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions including a stimulatory action on release of dopamine and other catecholamines in several brain regions and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
2009-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mazums.ac.ir/index.php?digital_library&do=downloadPdf&sid=747 |
| Summary: | .(Received 3 January, 2009; Accepted 27 May, 2009)AbstractBackground and purpose: -carboline alkaloids, also known as harmala's alkaloids have a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions including a stimulatory action on release of dopamine and other catecholamines in several brain regions and an inhibitory action on monoamine oxidase (MAO). These findings suggest that -carbolines should alleviate at least some of the dopaminergic stereotyped behaviors. The purpose of present study is to determine the effects of -carbolines harmane, norharmane and harmine on apomorphine-induced pecking behavior in chick.Materials and methods: All experiments were carried out on male/female chicks (40-60 g). The modulatory effects of -Carbolines on stereotyped behavior were assessed using the pecking behavior induced by apomorphine. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of apomorphaine (0.025 mg/kg, mixed agonist of dopamine D1/D2 receptors) induced pecking. The pecking response was counted by direct observation and recorded for a 40-minute period.Results: S.C. injection of harmane (2.5-10 mg/kg) and harmine (1.25-5 mg/kg) significantly decreased the pecking behavior induced by apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg). The norharmane (2.5-15 mg/kg, i.p.) response was biphasic. The inhibitory effects of harmane, norharmane and harmine were blocked by flumazenil (5 mg/kg, i.e., 30 minutes before the test) or reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.e., 18 hours before the test).Conclusion: Results suggest that the modulatory effect of harmane, norharmane and harmine on the pecking behavior may be mediated through an inverse agonistic/monoaminergic mechanism.J Mazand Univ Med Sci 2009; 19(70): 1-8 (Persian) |
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| ISSN: | 1735-9260 1735-9279 |