Studies on the participation of the dopaminergic system in the central effects of chelidonine.

Chelidonine administered to rats in doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg ip exerted an inhibitory effect on the dopaminergic structures in the rat. It was shown that chelidonine decreased amphetamine- and apomorphine-induced hyperactivity and inhibited amphetamine and apomorphine sterotype. Besides, chelidonine significantly inhibited the yawning and penile erection produced by apomorphine. However, chelidonine potentiated also catalepsy caused by haloperidol. In doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg ip chelidonine depressed the whole brain dopamine (DA) concentrations and enhanced DA utilization.