Suppression of lithium chloride-induced conditioned gaping (a model of nausea-induced behaviour) in rats (using the taste reactivity test) with metoclopramide is enhanced by cannabidiolic acid.

Abstract

We aimed to determine the potential of various doses of metoclopramide (MCP, a dopamine antagonist) to reduce lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced conditioned gaping (a nausea-induced behaviour) in rats, using the taste reactivity test. We then evaluated whether an ineffective low dose of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA, 0.1 μg/kg, Rock and Parker, 2013), the potent acidic precursor of cannabidiol (CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis) could enhance the anti-nausea effects of an ineffective low dose of MCP. MCP (3.0 mg/kg) reduced conditioned gaping responses. Coadministration of ineffective doses of MCP (0.3 mg/kg) and CBDA (0.1 μg/kg) enhanced the suppression of conditioned gaping, over that of either drug alone, without interfering with conditioned taste avoidance. MCP dose-dependently reduced nausea-induced conditioned gaping in rats. As well, the suppression of conditioned gaping was enhanced when ineffective doses of MCP and CBDA were coadministered. These data suggest that CBDA could be a powerful adjunct treatment to anti-emetic regimens for chemotherapy-induced nausea.

• Authors: E M Rock, L A Parker
• Journal: Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (Pharmacol Biochem Behav) Vol. 111 Pg. 84-9 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1873-5177 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24012649 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013.

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Cannabinoids
• cannabidiolic acid
• Lithium Chloride
• Metoclopramide

Topics

• Animals
• Antiemetics (pharmacology)
• Cannabinoids (pharmacology)
• Conditioning, Psychological (drug effects)
• Lithium Chloride (pharmacology)
• Male
• Metoclopramide (pharmacology)
• Nausea (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Taste (drug effects)