Pratt J, Roux M, Henneguelle E, Stutzmann J M, Laduron P M
Department of Biology, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Centre de Recherche de Vitry-Alfortville (CRVA), Vitry-sur-Seine, France.
Neurosci Lett. 1994 Mar 14;169(1-2):114-8. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(94)90369-7.
The tropolonic alkaloid colchicine significantly reduces the behavioural, electroencephalographic and histological damage seen after a 6-min occlusion of the two common carotid arteries of the Mongolian gerbil if the compound is administered at 2 or 4 mg/kg i.p. immediately upon reperfusion. A 45% increase in high-frequency ECoG activity and significant reduction of 80% in the hypermotility of the gerbils, with 63% less faults in a passive avoidance paradigm, were observed in conjunction with considerable protection of the hippocampus, after a single dose of 4 mg/kg colchicine. No adverse effects of colchicine treatment on animal movement and body weight were observable. Colchicine's possible mode of action, via inhibition of cellular transport systems, is discussed.
