EXPERIMENT 1

DISCUSSION

In this experiment, the heart rate and reflexes were observed before and after drug
administration. Drugs that were used include caffeine, picrotoxin, strychnine, urethane and normal
saline as control. Result showed that the administration of caffeine and strychnine increased heart
rate while picrotoxin and urethane decreased heart rate.

Caffeine, a natural component that acts as an antagonist of adenosine receptors has been
classified as a central nervous system stimulant, speeds up neural activity. It stimulates medullary,
vasomotor, respiratory and vagal centers which causes bradycardia, increased respiratory rate and
vasoconstriction. The stimulation of neuronal activity also causes secretion of adrenaline, hormone
involved in fight and flight response. This can cause increased in heart rate as observed in this
experiment. Besides, reflexes of the mice before and after caffeine administration was constant
except for the pain reflex. This may be due to caffeine action on adenosine receptors which are
involved in nociception.

Next, picrotoxin is a toxin that occurs naturally in seeds of Anamirta cocculus plant,
although it can be synthesized chemically. It is acts as central nervous system stimulant,
convulsant, antidote and noncompetitive GABA antagonist. Decreased heart rate in the mouse was
observed prior administration of picrotoxin. Also, same reflexes had been observed and convulsion
had occurred. Convulsant effects of picrotoxin might take place as GABA receptors was blocked
by this drug which results in reduction of chloride ions influx across cell membrane and thus
promotes the inhibitory effects on the target neuron eventually causes convulsant in the mouse.

Strychnine is a strong poison obtained from the plant Strychnos nux-vomica and used as
pesticides mainly to kill rats. Administration of strychnine had caused increased heart rate and the
absence of pain reflex. Other remarks include shivering, convulsing and peeing. Strychnine have
been shown to have effects on several neurotransmitter receptors, such as glycine receptor. It acts
as antagonist which results in increased reflex action as well as increased respiratory rate. It also
interferes with muscles activity, causing muscle spasms. Toxic dose of this drug lead to
simultaneous muscles contraction, serious convulsion and respiratory depression.
 Urethane is widely used in animal studies as anaesthetic agent. Heart rate of the mouse
decreased and nearly all the reflexes gone except pain reflex. Urethane mechanism of action is not
clearly explained but it is thought to cause anaesthetic effect. This anaesthetic effect was
responsible for the loss of touch reflexes. However, the dose might not be enough to cause the loss
of pain in this mouse.

CONCLUSION

Caffeine, picrotoxin, and strychnine caused stimulant effect on central nervous system
while urethane caused anaesthetic effect. Increased heart rate that were observed after
administration of caffeine and picrotoxin was the results of stimulant effect of these drugs but
different mechanism of action. Despite acting as CNS stimulant, administration of strychnine
showed reduced in heart rate. Reflexes before and after administration of CNS stimulants were
varied due to specific action of these drugs onto different receptors. Lastly, urethane administration
caused anaesthetic effects results in decreased heart rate and loss of almost reflexes.

REFERENCES

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