ABSTRACT
The present experiments intended to explore the psychopharmacological properties of benzonitrile on mice. Benzonitrile decreased motility, muscular force and inquisitiveness. The hypnotic effects of chloral and pentobarbital were increased by benzonitrile. The drug antagonized reserpine-induced palpebral ptosis and apomorphine-induced stereotypy. That benzonitrile was more effective against convulsions induced by pentetrazol and electric shock than those induced by strychnine suggested a central site of action. Perhaps benzonitrile interfers with the release or the action of central amines.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System/drug effects , Nitriles/pharmacology , Animals , Central Nervous System/physiology , Male , Mice , RatsABSTRACT
Glycerolformal is not devoid of action on mice psychomotor behaviour. Administered through the digestive tract with infralethal doses, it can exercice depressing effects on muscular strength and sensitivity to pain without affecting inquisitiveness. It opposes the stimulating effects specific to pentetrazol, amphetamine and apomorphine and is a protection against electric convulsions but tends to increase the toxicity of tryptamine.
