Comparison of the antinociceptive activities of physostigmine, oxotremorine and morphine in the mouse.

1. Morphine, oxotremorine and physostigmine showed antinociceptive activity in mice using the hot plate reaction time test.2. The action of morphine, but not that of oxotremorine, was antagonized by naloxone and by nalorphine, whereas the effect of physostigmine was unaffected by naloxone and increased by nalorphine.3. The antinociceptive effects of morphine and of physostigmine were increased by procedures reported to increase the ratio of 5-hydroxytryptamine to dopamine in the brain. It was decreased by procedures reported to cause a fall in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine or a rise in dopamine relative to 5-hydroxytryptamine.4. The antinociceptive effect of oxotremorine was potentiated by procedures reported to decrease brain noradrenaline and was unaffected by procedures altering brain 5-hydroxytryptamine.5. The results suggest differences in the mode of action of morphine and physostigmine on the one hand and of oxotremorine on the other.