Anxiolytic-like effects of 4-phenyl-2-trichloromethyl-3H-1,5-benzodiazepine hydrogen sulfate in mice

The pharmacological effects of 4-phenyl-2-trichloromethyl-3H-1,5-benzodiaze pine hydrogen sulfate (PTMB), a novel synthetic benzodiazepine, were examin ed in mice. In the elevated plus-maze test of anxiety, 0.3-1 mg/kg diazepam ip (F(3,53) = 3.78; P<0.05) acid 1-10 mg/kg PTMB ip increased (F(5,98) = 3 .26; P<0.01), whereas 2 mg/kg picrotoxin ip decreased (F(3,59) = 8.32; P<0. 001) the proportion of time spent in the open arms, consistent with an anxi olytic action of both benzodiazepines, and an anxiogenic role for picrotoxi n. In the holeboard, 1.0 mg/kg diazepam ip increased (F(3,54) = 2.78; P<0.0 5) and 2 mg/kg picrotoxin ip decreased (F(3,59) = 4.69; P<0.01) locomotor a ctivity. Rotarod assessment revealed that 1 mg/kg diazepam ip and 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg PTMB ip produced significant motor incoordination compared to veh icle control (F(4,70) = 7.6; P<0.001). These data suggest that the recently synthesized PTMB compound possesses anxiolytic activity and produces motor incoordination similar to those observed with diazepam.