Studies Of PF₁₁ On The Dependence Potential

Pseudoginsenoside-F₁₁ (PF₁₁), an ocotillol-type saponin, is one of the ingredients of Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng). Our previous studies have shown that PF₁₁ possesses significant inhibitory effects on morphine-induced behavioral and biochemical changes in animals, including the development of physical dependence and psychological dependence. These findings suggest that PF₁₁ may be useful as a therapeutic intervention agent for the addiction of the opioids. In order to investigate the dependence potential of PF₁₁ and evaluate its abuse liability, the behavioral experiments were used in this study in mice and rats.In a substitution test, no suppression of withdrawal signs was observed by cross-administration of PF₁₁ (4, 8 mg/kg, ig) with ethanol or diazepam in mice. No maintenance of dependence was observed by cross-administration of PF₁₁ (4, 8 mg/kg, ig) with morphine in mice. In a natural withdrawal test, after 28-day oral treatment with PF₁₁ (2.8, 5.6 mg/kg), no significant withdrawal signs were observed in rats. In a drug discrimination test by using conditioned taste aversion procedure, PF₁₁ (1.8, 3.2, 5.6, 10 mg/kg, ig) did not substitute the discriminative effects of morphine, ethanol or methamphetamine in rats. Furthermore, PF₁₁ (1.8, 3.2, 5.6, 10 mg/kg, ig) did not antagonize the discriminative effects of those drugs.