EFFECTS OF 18-METHOXYCORONARIDINE ON ACUTE SIGNS OF MORPHINE-WITHDRAWAL IN RATS

IBOGAINE, an alkaloid found in the root bark of the African shrub Tabe rnanthe iboga, has been claimed to interrupt opioid dependence in huma ns; in animals, it has been shown to inhibit morphine self-administrat ion and to attenuate signs of morphine withdrawal. However, ibogaine h as some neurotoxicity, and because of this, efficacious and safer cong eners of ibogaine have been sought. 18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MG), a novel iboga alkaloid congener, has been shown, in animals, to mimic th e effects of ibogaine on morphine self-administration without producin g any ibogaine-like neurotoxiticity. In the present study, 18-MG was s hown to attenuate five of seven signs of morphine withdrawal in rats. The data suggest that 18-MG will ameliorate symptoms of opioid depende nce in humans. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.