[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Title: Cannabidiol prevents stress-induced behavioral and cardiovascular consequences: possible
involvement of 5HT1A-receptors
Authors: *S. S. JOCA 1 , L. B. M. RESSTEL 2 , R. TAVARES 2 , S. LISBOA 2 , F. M. A.
CORREA 2 , F. S. GUIMARÃES 2 ;
1 Physics-Chemistry/Pharmacology, FCFRP-USP, Ribeirao Preto-SP, Brazil; 2 Pharmacol.,
FMRP-USP, Ribeirao Preto-SP, Brazil
Abstract: Introduction: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound from
Cannabis sativa which induces anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like effects in rodents. CBD effects
have been proposed to be mediated by facilitation of the endocannabinoid system or by the
activation of 5-HT1A receptors. Since either facilitation of endocannabinoid neurotransmission
or 5-HT1A receptor activation may promote adaptation to inescapable stress, the aim of the
present work was to test the hypothesis that CBD would attenuate behavioral and autonomic
consequences of restraint stress (RS).
Methods: Male Wistar rats received i.p. injections of vehicle or CBD (1, 10 or 20 mg/kg) and,
30 min later, were submitted to 60 min of restraint where their cardiovascular responses were
recorded. One day later the animals tested in the elevated plus-maze (EPM), an animal model of
anxiety. The protocol of the second experiment was similar to the first one except that the
animals received i.p. injections of WAY100635 (0.1 mg/ Kg), a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist,
before CBD treatment.
Results: None of the treatments changed baseline MAP and HR. RS produced pressor and
tachycardic responses that were attenuated by CBD (10 and 20 mg/kg; MAP: F 3,16=19.9,
p