Parishin C attenuates phencyclidine-induced schizophrenia-like psychosis in mice: involvements of 5-HT1A receptor.

Parishin C, a major component of Gastrodia elata BLUME (GE), was purified from GE. Because GE modulates the serotonergic system and the 5-HT(1A) receptor is an important therapeutic target of schizophrenia, we examined whether parishin C affects phencyclidine-induced abnormal behaviors in mice. Phencyclidine-induced abnormal behaviors were significantly ameliorated by parishin C. These effects were reversed by WAY 100635, a 5HT(1A)-receptor antagonist. Consistently, parishin C showed high affinity at 5-HT(1A) receptor as well as a 5-HT(1A)-agonist activity in a 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated [(35)S]GTP-gammaS binding assay. Our results suggest that the antipsychotic effects of parishin C require activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors.