Behavioural actions of the serotonergic anxiolytic indorenate

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1990 Sep;37(1):83-8. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(90)90045-j.

Abstract

Several recent studies have shown that the 5-HT1A agonist indorenate possesses antianxiety properties. In the present study we report on other behavioural actions of this drug. Indorenate (31.6 mg/kg) induced flat body posture, forepaw treading and hind limb abduction, behavioural characteristics of the serotonin syndrome. After indorenate injection these same behaviours were observed in animals pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine (400 mg/kg X 3 days), suggesting that the action of this compound is not mediated via serotonin release. The beta-5-HT1 blockers, (-) pindolol (2 mg/kg) or (-) alprenolol (5 mg/kg), did not prevent the actions of indorenate on the serotonin syndrome. Indorenate (10 mg/kg) stimulated the masculine sexual behaviour by reducing the number of intromissions preceding ejaculation. Higher doses (17.8 mg/kg) cause a complete inhibition of sexual behaviour. (-) Pindolol (2 mg/kg) or (-) alprenolol (5 mg/kg) did not antagonize the facilitatory actions of indorenate on male sexual behaviour. A high dose of indorenate (31.6 mg/kg) resulted in an impairment of the motor coordination as tested in a treadmill apparatus. These data reveal that indorenate possesses, in addition to its antianxiety effects, other behavioural characteristics that, however, appear at higher dose levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methoxytryptamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • 5-Methoxytryptamine / pharmacology
  • Alprenolol / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / pharmacology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fenclonine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Pindolol / pharmacology
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects*
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Single-Blind Method

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • 5-Methoxytryptamine
  • Alprenolol
  • indorenate
  • Pindolol
  • Fenclonine