The Appetite Suppressant D-norpseudoephedrine (Cathine) Acts via D1/D2-Like Dopamine Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell.

ABSTRACT: D-norpseudoephedrine (NPE), also known as cathine, is found naturally in the shrub Catha edulis "Khat." NPE has been widely used as an appetite suppressant for the treatment of obesity. Although it is known that NPE acts on α1-adrenergic receptors, there is little information about the role of dopamine receptors on NPE's induced anorectic and weight loss effects. Equally untouched is the question of how NPE modulates neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh), a brain reward center, and a pharmacological target for many appetite suppressants. To do this, in rats, we characterized the pharmacological effects induced by NPE on weight loss, food intake, and locomotion. We also determined the involvement of dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors using systemic and intra-NAcSh

SUBMITTER: Kalyanasundar B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7596745 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature