Abstract
Effects of 1, 2-propanediol-3-(p-chlorophenoxy)-1-carbamate (chlorphenesin carbamate, CC) on the motor systems were investigated in various animal species. CC decreased grip strength and inhibited cornea and pinna-reflexes in mice. Duration of the protective effects of CC against picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol and electro-shocks was longer than that of mephenesin. In addition, tremors induced by oxotremorine in mice were inhibited by CC as in the case of mephenesin. CC had no anti-strychnine effect in mice, whereas mephenesin clearly showed the effect. CC inhibited the spinal functions in rats, chicks and frogs, and the duration of action was longer than that of mephenesin. CC decreased the monosynaptic reflex component as well as polysynaptic component in rats when ventral root potentials were recorded following stimulation of the corresponding dorsal root. Intercollicular and ischemic decerebrate rigidities were depressed by CC as well as mephenesin. Administration of CC, except for large doses, had no effect on the muscle twitches in response to nerve stimulation and the refractory period of muscle twitches. CC caused a decrease of afferent discharges from the muscle spindle of rats in situ and frogs in vitro, which may in part contribute to the muscle relaxant effect of the drug. From these results, it is concluded that CC is a centrally acting muscle relaxant with a longer duration of action and that it differs in nature from mephenesin.
