Behavioral effects of suriclone: A new antianxiety drug of Cyclopyrrolone derivative

Abstract

The effects of suriclone were investigated in various behavioral tests and compared with those of diazepam (DZP) and loraze-pam (LZP). Suriclone, upon single administration, was as potent as LZP, but less potent than DZP in increasing the lever press response in the punished period of a conflict schedule established by combining foot shock and food reward in rats, and suriclone was much longer in duration of action than DZP and LZP. The anticonflict effect of suriclone was markedly potentiated with repeated administration (10 mg/kg/day for 14 days), and this effect was equipotent as DZP. Muricide and hyperemotionality in rats induced by either olfactory bulbecto-my or midbrain raphe lesions were suppressed by suriclone. Suriclone was much more potent than DZP and comparable to LZP in these effects. In preventing maximal electroshock- and pentetrazol-induced convulsions in mice, suriclone was much less potent than DZP and LZP. In potentiating thiopental, ether and ethanol anesthesia in mice, as well as in impairing rotarod performance in mice and rats, suriclone was much less potent than DZP and LZP. These results indicate that the pharmacological properties of suriclone are similar to those of benzodiazepines, and are characterized by potent anticonflict and taming effects with much weaker anticonvulsant, anesthesia-potentiating and ataxic effects.