Segărceanu Ana 1, Fulga I. 1
1 Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest
Abstract
Diethylamine is an analgesic substance with unknown mechanism of action but due to its chemical structure resemblance with anandamide, one hypothesis suggested that diethylamine could act as an endocannabinoid precursor. The aim of this study is the experimental research of the sedative effect of diethylamine and the influence of cannabinoid and opioid antagonists on the diethylamine-induced sedation. Albino mice were used for the experiments and the tested substances were diethylamine, a selective CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist – AM281 and an opioid antagonist – naloxone. The control groups received saline solution. The sedative effect was investigated through the simple exploration test at 60 or 120 minutes after the administration of the substances. The statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test followed by post-hoc tests. The results showed that diethylamine has a dose and time dependent sedative effect. The diethylamine-induced sedation has not been reversed by cannabinoid or opioid antagonists at the administered doses, indicating that the cannabinoid and opioid receptors are not responsible for the sedative effect of diethylamine.