Effects of polyamines on the central nervous system.

Abstract

Effects of polyamines on the central nervous system were studied in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of Spermidine (SPD) and Spermine (SPM) decreased spontaneous motor activity as measured by either the photo-cell counters method or the open-field test and lowered rectal temperature. A significant prolongation of sleeping time after pentobarbital was confirmed in small doses of SPD and SPM which had slight influence on spontaneous motor activity. The time to convulsion and death induced by strychnine was elongated by SPD and SPM. SPM in small doses inhibited writhing responses induced by 0.7% acetic acid. In addition, methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity and conditioned avoidance response were blocked by SPM in doses which decreased spontaneous motor activity. In all experiments, SPM appeared to have a powerful pharmacological activity compared with SPD. LD50 for SPD and SPM was 620 (500-769) mg/kg i.p. and 310 (200-480) mg/kg i.p., respectively.