Neuromyal blocking action of mescaline

Injecting mescaline directly into an artery partially or completely paralyzes skeletal muscle in dogs. Mescaline and curare together enhance each other's muscle-depressing effects. After mescaline causes full blockade, the muscle still responds to direct electrical stimulation. In chronically denervated muscle, mescaline does not immediately reduce contractions. Adrenaline, potassium chloride, and prostigmine can counteract mescaline-induced paralysis. The paralyzing action of mescaline occurs at the neuromuscular junction.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The close intra-arterial injection of mescaline in adequate doses causes partial or complete paralysis in the dog neuromuscular preparation. Mescaline and curare tend to supplement one another with respect to their depressant actions on indirectly stimulated skeletal muscle. After complete blockade with mescaline, the muscle can readily be activated by direct stimulation. Following chronic denervation, the directly stimulated muscle fails to show an immediate depression of contractions when mescaline is administered. Adrenaline, KCl and prostigmine can oppose the paralyzing action of mescaline. The site of action of mescaline in producing paralysis is localized in the neuromuscular complex.