Effect of reserpine on cationic contents of rat brain

Abstract

PREPARATIONS of the plant Rauwolfia serpentina have been used in India for centuries as a calming drug. Reserpine is the principal alkaloid of this plant and its effect on the central nervous system (CNS) has been studied extensively. The most important biochemical effect of reserpine on the CNS found in vivo is the release of noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine from the amine storage sites in brain so that they are more susceptible to degradation by monoamine oxidase1. In synaptosomal preparations, reserpine has been shown to inhibit the uptake of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2. Prolonged reserpine treatment depletes these amines from the brain1. Amine depletion is thought to be due to changes in the permeability of neuronal membranes3. © 1974 Nature Publishing Group.