Summary
Alcoholic extracts of 2 different samples of Cannabis sativa (marihuana) have been tested for activity on isolation-induced aggressive behavior and on spontaneous motor activity of mice, and on corneal areflexia in rabbits.
Both extracts were found to be active in suppressing aggressiveness, and extract N (marihuana from the northeast of Brazil) was found to be 15 times as potent as extract W (marihuana from the west of Brazil). On the other hand, both extracts showed the same activity when assayed by the corneal areflexia method in rabbits. The amount of extract N that produced 50 per cent abolition of isolation-induced aggressiveness was far less than that necessary to reduce the motor activity of the mice.
The discrepancy in potency of the extracts when assayed by both methods, seems to indicate that different active principles are involved in the reduction of aggressive behavior of mice and in producing corneal areflexia in rabbits.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alles, G. A., A. J. Haagen-Smith, G. A. Feigen, and W. B. Dandliker: Evidence of another physiologically active principle in Cannabis sativa (marihuana). J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 76, 21–26 (1942).
Carlini, E. A., and C. Kramer: Effects of Cannabis sativa (marihuana) on maze performance of the rat. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 7, 175–181 (1965).
Chen, G., B. Bohner, and A. C. Bratton jr.: The influence of certain central depressants on fighting behavior of mice. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 142, 30–34 (1963).
Chopra, R. N., G. S. Chopra, and I. C. Chopra: Cannabis sativa in relation to mental diseases and crime in India. Indian J. med. Res. 30, 1–15 (1942).
Gayer, H.: Pharmakologische Wertbestimmung von orientalischen Haschisch und Herba Cannabis indica. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 129, 312–318 (1928).
Graham, P., G. Kahlson, and E. Rosengren: Histamine formation in physical exercise, anoxia and under the influence of adrenaline and related substances. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 172, 174–188 (1964).
Litchfield, J. T., and F. Wilcoxon: A simplified method of evaluating dose-effect experiments. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 96, 99–113 (1949).
Loewe, S.: In: The marihuana problem in the city of New York, by the Mayor's Committee on marihuana; Pharmacological Study, p. 149–212. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: The Jaques Cattel Press 1944.
Robinson, B. B.: Marihuana investigations IV. A study of marihuana toxicity on goldfish applied to hemp breeding. J. Amer. pharm. Ass. 30, 616–619 (1941).
Scriabine, A., and M. Blake: Evaluation of centrally acting drugs in mice with fighting behavior induced by isolation. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 3, 224–226 (1962).
Tedeschi, R. E., D. H. Tedeschi, A. Mucha, L. Cook, P. A. Mattis, and E. J. Fellows: Effects of various centrally acting drugs on fighting behavior of mice. J. Pharmacol exp. Ther. 125, 28–34 (1959).
Valle, J. R.: Studies on Cannabis saliva (Portuguese). Rev. Inst. A. Lutz (S. Paulo) 21, 83–98 (1961).
Veiga, E. P., and A. R. Pinho: Contribution to the study of Brazilean marihuana (Portuguese). Neurobiologia 25, 38–68 (1962).
Yen, C. I., R. L. Stanger, and N. Millman: Ataractic suppression of isolation-induced aggressive behavior. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 123, 179–185 (1959).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Santos, M., Sampaio, M.R.P., Fernandes, N.S. et al. Effects of Cannabis sativa (marihuana) on the fighting behavior of mice. Psychopharmacologia 8, 437–444 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406492
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406492