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Possible mediation of catecholaminergic pathways in the antinociceptive effect of an extract of Cannabis sativa L.

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Abstract

An extract of cannabis (5 and 15 mg/kg expressed as Δ9-THC) orally administered to rats caused an elevation of the nociceptive threshold (tail-flick latency and vocalization tests). Naloxone and naltrexone (blockers of μ-type opiate receptors) as well as MR 1452 (blocker of κ opiate receptors) did not prevent the antinociceptive effect of cannabis when used at the dose of 2 mg/kg SC; only a high dose (10 mg/kg SC) of these narcotic antagonists partially blocked cannabis antinociception. ICI 154, 129, an antagonist of δ-type opiate receptors, failed to prevent the cannabis-induced rise in nociceptive threshold when used at a dose of 2 mg/kg SC but produced a significant effect at 10 mg/kg SC. While the role of opiate receptors does not seem fundamental to cannabis antinociception, the clear-cut effectiveness shown by 6-hydroxydopamine (a neurotoxin which causes a degeneration of catecholamine-containing terminals) in reducing cannabis antinociception is indicative of a participation of catecholamines in the phenomenon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy

    S. Ferri, E. Cavicchini, P. Romualdi, E. Speroni & G. Murari

Authors
  1. S. Ferri
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  2. E. Cavicchini
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  3. P. Romualdi
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  4. E. Speroni
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  5. G. Murari
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Ferri, S., Cavicchini, E., Romualdi, P. et al. Possible mediation of catecholaminergic pathways in the antinociceptive effect of an extract of Cannabis sativa L. . Psychopharmacologia 89, 244–247 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310637

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310637

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