General Neuropharmacology of Rutaecarpine, a Quinazolinocarboline Alkaloid

Abstract

Rutaecarpine is one of quinazolinocarboline alkaloids found in Evodia rutaecarpa, a Rutaceous plant and it has shown various biological effects including antiinflammation. However, the effect of rutaecarpine on nervous system was not reported yet. In this study we investigated the general pharmacology of rutaecarpine on the central nervous system. Rutaecarpine (40 and 400 mg/kg) did not change chemoshock induced by pentylenetetrazole. However, oral administration of rutaecarpine altered motor coordination examined by rotarod test, pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome in mice at the doses of 40 and 400 mg/kg. Rutaecarpine also induced hypothermia in mice at both doses. The results suggest that rutaecarpine possesses neuromodulating activities on central nervous system in addition to the various biological effects on the periphery.