INCREASE OF 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE IN THE RAT BRAIN BY RAUNESCINE

Abstract
The Rauwolfia alkaloid raunescine (5 mg./kg., intraperitoneally) increased the concentration of 5‐hydroxytryptamine in the brains of rats after iproniazid pre‐treatment. This was evident 3 to 4 hr. after raunescine administration. There was no general increase in the noradrenaline content of the brains. In the intestine, raunescine depleted the 5‐hydroxytryptamine content by about 50% within 3 to 4 hr. if the animals had been pre‐treated with iproniazid. Iproniazid did not increase the content of noradrenaline in the intestine.