Effect of serotonergic agents on neuroleptic induced catalepsy in rats.

Three pharmacological tools namely zimelidine, danitracen and MK 212, were selected to examine the nature of involvement of serotonergic neurotransmission in catalepsy, an undesirable side effect following administration of neuroleptics in rats. Reserpine and haloperidol were chosen as cataleptogenic challenges. Zimelidine, a serotonin (5-HT) reuptake blocker, inhibited the manifestation of reserpine and haloperidol induced catalepsy.

Interaction of metamizol with some hypnotics in rats.

Metamizol (sodium N-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenylpyrazolin-4-yl)-N-methylamino-methylsulphonate; Dipyrone) a non-narcotic analgesic was tested for hypnotic potentiating effect. Metamizol potentiated the hypnosis induced by pentobarbital, barbital and chloral hydrate. This effect was dose-dependent and was inversely proportional to the duration of the analgesic pretreatment.

Effect of mersalyl at cholinoceptive sites.

The effects of an organic mercurial compounds, mersalyl, were tested at the muscarinic and nicotinic sites (the smooth muscles, frog heart and frog rectus muscle) in vitro. Mersalyl had an antimuscarinic effect in the smooth muscle tissues and in the myocardium. On the frog rectus muscle, mersalyl had some potentiating effect on acetylcholine response.

Anticonvulsant activity of enzyme inhibitors in rats.

Three liver microsomal enzyme inhibitors, proadifen, 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethyldiethylamine, and 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethylamine, and a hepatotoxic agent, carbon tetrachloride, were tested for anticonvulsant activity in adult male albino rats using the maximal electroshock seizure technique. All four substances exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity 1 hr after intraperitoneal administration. This protection was absent when tested 24 hr later.