Effects of the ergot alkaloid elymoclavine on the level and turnover of biogenic monoamines in the rat brain.

The effect of the clavine alkaloid elymoclavine, isolated from Claviceps sp cp II, on the level and turnover of biogenic monoamines in several rat brain structures was studied. Elymoclavine administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 5 mg/kg significantly increased the dopamine (DA) level in the striatum and hypothalamus and enhanced the DA turnover in the striatum. A significant increase was also found in the level and turnover of noradrenaline (NA) in the hypothalamus. Elymoclavine exerted an opposite effect on the level and turnover of serotonin (5-HT) in these brain structures: the 5-HT level significantly declined and the 5-HT turnover slightly decreased in the striatum and hypothalamus. In the cerebral cortex elymoclavine significantly increased the 5-HT level. Although the stimulant effect on DA receptors appears to be a dominant element in the mechanism of action of elymoclavine, it seems that this ergot alkaloid is also characterized by a plurireceptor action. The present results suggest a certain role for the elymoclavine action on the level and turnover of brain biogenic monoamines in the mechanism of its different pharmacological effects.