INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF IBOGAINE ON COCAINE SELF-ADMINISTRATION IN RATS

In order to determine the potential anti-addictive properties of iboga ine, we used the cocaine self-administration model in rats. The result s indicate that a single injection of ibogaine (40 mg/kg i.p.) produce d a significant decrease of cocaine intake, which remained unaltered f or more than 48 h. Since the half-life time of ibogaine is short, this might suggest the involvement of one or several active metabolites of ibogaine in cocaine intake. Repetitive administration of ibogaine on three consecutive days also induced a pronounced decrease of cocaine i ntake. However, a more prominent inhibitory effect on cocaine intake w as observed in animals treated repeatedly with ibogaine (40 mg/kg i.p. ), once each week for 3 consecutive weeks. These results indicate that ibogaine or its metabolite(s) is a long-lasting interruptor of cocain e dependence, which supports similar observations from uncontrolled cl inical studies.