Effect of kappa-opioid receptor agonists U69593, U50488H, spiradoline and salvinorin A on cocaine-induced drug-seeking in rats.

Summary

Pretreatment with the kappa-opioid receptor agonists U69593, U50488H, spiradoline, and salvinorin A reduced cocaine-induced drug-seeking behavior in rats. Specifically, doses of U69593 (0.3 mg/kg), U50488H (30.0 mg/kg), spiradoline (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg), and salvinorin A (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) were effective in this regard. However, salvinorin A did not affect the desire for sucrose or cocaine-related hyperactivity.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Our previous work indicated that pretreatment with the selective kappa-opioid receptor (KOPr) agonist, U69593, attenuated the ability of priming injections of cocaine to reinstate extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior. The present study expanded these initial tests to include other traditional KOPr agonists, U50488H, spiradoline (SPR), and salvinorin A (Sal A), an active constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum. Following acquisition and stabilization of cocaine self-administration, cocaine-produced drug-seeking was measured. This test was conducted in a single day and comprised an initial phase of self-administration, followed by a phase of extinguished responding. The final phase examined reinstatement of extinguished cocaine self-administration followed by a priming injection of cocaine (20.0mg/kg, intraperitoneal (I.P.)) in combination with the various KOPr agonists. Cocaine-induced drug-seeking was attenuated by pretreatment with U69593 (0.3mg/kg, subcutaneous (S.C.)), U50488H (30.0mg/kg, I.P.), SPR (1.0, 3.0mg/kg, I.P.) and Sal A (0.3, 1.0mg/kg, I.P.). Sal A (0.3, 1.0mg/kg, I.P.) had no effect on operant responding to obtain sucrose reinforcement or on cocaine-induced hyperactivity. These findings show that Sal A, like other traditional KOPr agonists attenuates cocaine-induced drug-seeking behavior.