HIGH DILUTION EFFECTS OF STRYCHNOS NUXVOMICA L ON HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS AND ADRENERGIC NERVE ENDINGS OF ALCOHOLIC RATS

Rats, which are quickly exhausted and remain passive when subjected to inescapable swimming in a tub of water, are potential alcoholics. These rats were given 20% alcohol for 10 days and then both 20% alcohol and water in a two-choice bottle test. They were treated by oral route with the potentized extract Strychnos nuxvomica L such as Nux vom 1000 and 30s. The latter potency was prepared by sonication instead of succussion. Both potencies of Nux vom significatly reduced alcohol consumption and Nux 30s was more effective than Nux vom 1000 in this regard. Nux vom 30s given intraperitoneally to another batch of rats produced no effect on alcohol consumption. Nux vom 200 and 1000, applied on the tongue of anaesthetised alcoholic rats, increased the neuronal activity of the LHA while 20% alcohol, distilled water and Nux vom mother tincture decreased it. The inhibitory effect of the latter might be due to alcohol in the mother tincture rather than to the crude drug. The antialcoholic effect of potentized Nux vom appears to be mediated through tongue receptors and hypothalamic neurons. In another experiment rats were kept on 20% alcohol and normal food for 2 months. Then they were treated with Nux vom 30s, one dose every 15th day for 4 months, and kept on a two-choice bottle. Noradrenergic nerve terminals in atrioventricular valves degenerated considerably in untreated alcoholic rats. Treatment with Nux vom 30s not only reduced alcohol consumption in rats but also helped in regeneration of most of the nerve terminals.