Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-16-2012
Abstract
Planarians are traditional animal models in developmental and regeneration biology. Recently, these organisms are arising as vertebrate-relevant animal models in neuropharmacology. Using an adaptation of published behavioral protocols, we have described the alleviation of cocaine-induced planarian seizure-like movements (pSLM) by a naturally-occurring sesquiterpene lactone, parthenolide. Interestingly, parthenolide does not prevent the expression of pSLM induced by amphetamines; in vertebrates, amphetamines interact with the same protein target as cocaine. Parthenolide is also unable to prevent pSLM elicited by the cholinergic compounds nicotine and cytisine or by the glutamatergic agents L- or D- glutamic acid or NMDA. Thus, we conclude that parthenolide is a specific anti-cocaine agent in this experimental organism.
Publication Title
International Journal of Developmental Biology
ISSN
0214-6282
Publisher
University of the Basque Country Press
Volume
56
Issue
1-3
First Page
193
Last Page
196
DOI
10.1387/ijdb.113486op
Recommended Citation
Pagán, O. R., Baker, D., Deats, S., Montgomery, E., Tenaglia, M., Randolph, C., Kotturu, D., Tallarida, C., Bach, D., Wilk, G., Rawls, S., & Raffa, R. B. (2012). Planarians in pharmacology: parthenolide is a specific behavioral antagonist of cocaine in the planarian Girardia tigrina. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 56(1-3), 193-196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.113486op