Effects of Kamikihi-To, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, on Behavioral Changes Induced by Methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate in Mice and Rats

抄録

he effects of Kamikihi-To (KMK), a traditional Chinese medicine, on behavioral changes induced by methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate (β-CCM) were evaluated in mice and rats. β-CCM, an anxiogenic benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist (3.0 mg/kg, i.v. administered 1 min before the test), decreased the locomotor activity of mice in a novel environment. Furthermore, β-CCM (0.1 mg/kg, i.v. administered 10 min before the test) facilitated the suppression of drinking behavior induced by punishment in the water lick conflict test in rats. KMK (1.0 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o. administered 1 hr before the test) antagonized the decreased locomotor activity in the β-CCM-treated mice. KMK (2.0 g/kg, p.o.) also recovered the suppression of drinking behavior in the β-CCM-treated rats. KMK (2.0 g/kg, p.o.) had no effect on β-CCM-untreated mice and rats in these tests. These findings suggest that KMK has a protective effect against β-CCM-induced behavioral changes.