Anticonvulsant action of cannabis in the rat: role of brain monoamines

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1978 Dec 8;59(3):293-7. doi: 10.1007/BF00426637.

Abstract

The role of brain monoamines in the anticonvulsant action of Cannabis indica resin (CI), against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in albino rats, was investigated by using pharmacologic agents that influence brain monoamine activity. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabis resin was estimated to be 17%. The anticonvulsant action of CI (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was significantly inhibited after pretreatment with drugs that reduce brain serotonin activity but not by drugs that reduce brain catecholamine activity. Similarly, the anticonvulsant action of a subanticonvulsant dose (50 mg/kg, i.p.) of CI was potentiated by serotonin precursors but not by catecholamine precursors. Potentiation of the anticonvulsant action of CI by nialamide or by imipramine was inhibited after pretreatment with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine. The results suggest that the anticonvulsant action of CI in the rat is serotonin- and not catecholamine-mediated.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants*
  • Apomorphine / pharmacology
  • Biogenic Amines / physiology*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cannabis*
  • Electroshock
  • Female
  • Hindlimb / drug effects
  • Imipramine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Nialamide / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Reflex / drug effects
  • Reserpine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Biogenic Amines
  • Reserpine
  • Apomorphine
  • Imipramine
  • Nialamide