Effects of a Palicourea marcgravii leaf extract on some dopamine-related behaviors of rats.
Parole chiave
Astratto
The effects of a Palicourea marcgravii leaf extract on some dopamine-related behaviors were studied in rats. The extract given subcutaneously decreased both spontaneous locomotion and rearing frequencies of rats observed in open-field studies and increased their periods of immobility. The extract was also able to produce a rightward displacement of the apomorphine dose-response curve for stereotyped behavior and decrease the maximum response possible. Although the extract (1.87 g/kg subcutaneously) was unable to produce true catalepsy by itself, it potentiated that induced by haloperidol. These results with the extract can be interpreted to be due to a direct blocking action for the extract on a mesostriatal dopamine receptor or to an indirect effect on dopamine pathways through central cholinergic activation.