PRECLINICAL SCREENING MODELS FOR

DRUGS ACTING ON AUTONOMIC NERVOUS

SYSTEM
Nervous System
It is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons
that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between
different parts of its body

Autonomic Nervous Systems

The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous
system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart
rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal etc.
 SYMPATHOMIMETICS
INTRODUCTION
Sympathomimetics are the agents that mimic the activity of adrenaline
(epinephrine) in the periphery. Adrenaline is secreted by adrenal medulla in
mammals. Nor-adrenaline (norepinephrine) is a predominant neurotransmitter of
the sympathetic system, which acts on sympathetic receptors (α and B).The
sympathetic receptors are mainly found in heart, blood vessels, branchi, uterus,
GI tract, and eye. Stimulation of sympathetic nerves by adrenaline or electrical
stimuli may trigger the following responses: heart rate acceleration, blood
pressure stimulation, mydriasis in the eye, increased stroke volume in the heart,
coronary arteries dilatation, constriction of pulmonary vessels, bronchial muscle
relaxation, inhibition of gastric secretion, gastrointestinal sphincters contraction,
and stimulation of the uterus.
Animal models used for screening sympathomimetics
In Vivo models
1. Bioassay of adrenaline by monitoring blood pressure in dogs
2. Rabbit eye model
3. Cat spleen model
4. Spinal cat model

In Vitro model
1. Bioassay of adrenaline using rabbit intestine
2. Isolated frog heart preparation
 IN-VIVO MODELS
1. Bioassay of adrenaline by monitoring blood pressure in dogs:
Measuring the blood pressure is the main parameter to evaluate adrenaline and other
sympathomimetics. When adrenaline is injected by iv. route to the animals, blood
pressures (systolic and diastolic) elevate rapidly to a peak due to sympathetic
stimulation and then rapidly decreases below the base line before returning to the
baseline (i.e. biphasic response).
Method:
• Healthy dogs are selected and anesthetized with barbiturate (25 mg/kg. iv.) and
acclimatized for blood pressure monitoring.
• Blood pressure is monitored by a kymograph after cannulating carotid artery
• The standard solution of adrenaline (4% w/V in 0.1 HCI) is prepared and different
dilutions of adrenaline are prepared by diluting it with saline. A suitable diluting
concentration is 1: 10,000. Test sample solution is also prepared in saline. Animals
should be given atropine sulphate (1 mg/kg. iv.) to eliminate vagal action
• Adrenaline is injected into the femoral vein through the venous cannula and two
successive responses of the same dose of adrenaline are recorded. The
observation of similar response after administration of the same dose of
adrenaline indicates that there is no variation in B.P. that the animal is now ready
for the assay.
• Then the test and the standard samples are given

Interpretation:
Sympathomimetics raise the blood pressure. The potency of the test sample is
estimated by comparing the rise in blood pressure of the test sample with that
produced by the standard preparation of adrenaline.
2. Rabbit eye model:
The iris of eyes is composed of two types of muscle fibres, the circular and the radial.
The circular muscles are controlled by the parasympathetic system and the radial ones
are innervated by sympathetic system. The stimulation of sympathetic and
parasympathetic nerves produces mydriasis and miosis effect respectively and their
paralysis produces opposite effects. Local administration of sympathomimetic drugs on
eye dilates the pupil. They activate the B₂ receptor on the eye and cause the ciliary
muscle relaxation and produce mydriasis effect.

Method:
• Healthy young rabbits (2-3 kg) are used in this model. Animals are divided into
different groups: control (vehicle treatment), standard (adrenaline treatment) and test
group (test sympathomimetic treatment).
• 0.1 % adrenaline hydrochloride solution is used as a standard.
• Eyes of rabbits are washed with distilled water and left for 5 min.
• Vehicle/adrenaline/test drug is applied topically to their respective groups and
measured the pupil diameter
• Calculate the mean diameter in each group.

Interpretation:
Mean pupil diameter of standard and test groups are compared with the control
group. The topical administration of adrenaline or other sympathomimetics increases
the pupil diameter and produce mydriasis effect in the eye
3. Cat Spleen model:
Sympathomimetics contract the spleen and release the transmitter. Released nor-
adrenaline can be measured by collecting spleen, venous effluent and analyze the
noradrenaline content. Nor-adrenaline content is analyzed after radioactive labelling.

Method:
• Healthy cats (2-4 kg) are used in this model. Cats are anesthetized by a sutitable
anesthetized agent.
• The animal is dissected to expose spleen.
• The splenic nerves are cut to avoid the release of catecholamine from other sites.
• The adrenal glands are also removed to avoid the release of pressure amines
• Heparin is administered intravenously to prevent blood clotting.
• The abdominal region is filled with warm paraffin and aerated with a carbogen (a
mixture of 95 % O₂ and 5% CO₂)
• Vehicle/adrenaline sympathomimetic is injected into the splenic artery to contract
spleen and to release the transmitter.
• Nor-adrenaline is measured by scintillation counter for radioactivity measurement

Interpretation:
The nor-adrenaline content after administration of adrenaline or test
sympathomimetics are compared with the vehicle-treated value. The
sympathomimetics increase the release of noradrenaline. The different doses of the
test compound are used to compare with standard.
 IN-VITRO MODELS

1. Bioassay of adrenaline using rabbit intestine:

Adrenergic B₂ receptors are found in the intestinal smooth muscles. Activation of
sympathetic B, receptors relaxes the intestine via CAMP pathway, Rabbits, guinea
pigs, rats are used in this model.

Method:
• A healthy rabbit (2-3 kg) method is described. Rabbit is sacrificed and is dissected
out to isolate the duodenum in Tyrode solution.
• A small piece of duodenum is suspended in the organ bath containing Tyrode
solution at 37.5°C.
• Standard solution of adrenaline is made as described in the previous method.
• Test sample solution is also prepared in saline.
• The muscle is allowed to stabilize for 30 min.
• Rhythmic contractions are recorded by isotonic frontal writing lever on the
kymograph.
• After recording baseline, adrenaline (1 µg/ml, 2 µg/ml, 4 µg/ml) is administered in
an increasing order up to ceiling effect with proper washing interval.
• The test sample is administered and matched with the standard.
• Adrenaline relaxes the duodenum and the same property is taken up to
consideration for finding out the potency of the test sample.
2. Isolated frog heart preparation:
Isolated heart preparation is used to evaluate the sympathomimetic activity on the
heart. The sympathomimetics like adrenaline and isoprenaline increase the heart rate
and force of contraction due to activation of B₂ receptor on heart, while
noradrenaline administration has little effect on heart rate because nor-adrenaline
generally acts on a receptor.

Method:
• A healthy frog is sacrificed by pithing and dissected to expose the heart.
• A curved needle is inserted in the apex and attached to a startling heart lever for
recording contractions on the kymograph.
• After recording baseline (basal heart rate), Adrenaline (2 µg/ml)/ test
sympathomimetics are administered and recorded the response.
• Sympathomimetics accelerate the heart rate
• Observed heart rate is compared with basal heart rate

This method is now absolute due to ethical constraints

 SYMPATHOLYTICS

INTRODUCTION
The Sympatholytics are the agents that inhibit the action of the sympathetic nervous
system by blocking the sympathetic receptors (a and B). The sympatholytics, eg
phentolamine, prazosin, propranolol, atenolol, etc. are clinically used for the treatment
of cardiovascular diseases. They decrease the blood pressure and heart rate, relax the
vascular smooth muscle, inhibit the mydriasis effect in the eye, and inhibit the relaxing
effects in tracheal chain induced by sympathetic system activation
Animal models used for screening sympatholytics
In Vivo Models
1. Adrenergic antagonism in the rodent's eye
2. Blood pressure response in dogs
3. Cardiovascular response in rats
4. Nictitating membrane prolapses in cats

In Vitro Models
1. Isolated frog heart Preparation
2. Isolated aortic muscle strips
3. Isolated guinea pig tracheal chain
 IN-VIVO MODELS

1. Adrenergic antagonism in rodent's eye:

Sympathomimetics like noradrenaline, adrenaline, and isoprenaline induces the
mydriasis. This effect is blocked by α and β blockers. a-blockers (e.g. prazosin,
phenoxybenzamine) block the action of noradrenaline, α and β blockers (e.g.
labetalol, carvedilol) block the action of adrenaline, and β blockers (e.g. propranolol,
atenolol metoprolol) block the action of isoprenaline.
Method:
• Albino rats (120-150 g) or albino mice (25-30 g) are employed in this model
• Experimental animals are divided into control (vehicle) and tests group (test
preparations)having 4-6 animals in each.
• Vehicle/test drugs are administered subcutaneously to therespective groups.
• After 30 min of vehicle/test drugs administration, nor adrenaline(0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) or
adrenaline (0.05 mg/kg, i.v.) or isoprenaline (20 mg/kg, i.v.) are injected
• The pupil diameters of each animal is measured. The mean value in each group is
reported

Interpretation:
Mean pupil diameter of test groups is compared with control group. The
sympatholytic drugs antagonize the mydriasis effects of sympathomimetics.
Therefore, the pupil diameter of test groups is lesser than the control group
2. Blood pressure response in dogs:
Sympatholytics decreases the blood pressure by blocking α and β receptors. This
model is also used to determine the specific receptor antagonizing property of test
compound by using specific receptor agonist. Rats and cats are also used to monitor
changes in blood pressure induced by drugs.

Method:
• Male Mongrel dogs (15-20 kg) are used in this model.
• Animals are anesthetized with methohexital (10 mg/kg. iv.), and maintained with
nitrous oxide and oxygen at 4:2 proportion in a non-rebreathing system using a
respiratory pump.
• Animals are immobilized by succinylcholine (1 mg/min).
• Left carotid artery is cannulated and connected to a blood pressure recorder.
• The femoral vein is cannulated for drug administrations.
• Atropine is also injected (2 mg/kg) at the start of the experiment to avoid reflex
vagal action.
• Phentolamine mg/kg) or propranolol (1 mg/kg) is used as a standard
sympatholytic drug.
• After recording the baseline, vehicle/standard/test drug is administered via the
femoral vein and blood pressure is recorded.
• Blood pressure of standard and test drugs are compared with vehicle treatment

Interpretation:
Sympatholytics decrease the blood pressure as compared to vehicle. Specific
sympatholytics like a blocker also block the response of a agonist like noradrenaline
on blood pressure.
 IN-VITRO MODELS
1. Isolated frog heart preparation:
Isolated heart preparation is also used to evaluate the sympatholytic activity on the
heart. The sympatholytic like propranolol reduces the heart rate by blocking of β1,
receptor or membrane stabilizing effect on the heart.
Method:
• Baseline recording (basal heart rate)
• propranolol (200 ug/ml)/test Sympatholytics are administered and record the
response by using force transducer on physiograph.
• Observed heart rate is compared with basal heart rate
• Similarly, effect of sympatholytics on sympothomimetics induced changes in the
heart rate can also be evaluated.
Interpretation:
Sympatholytics reduce the basal or sympathomimetics induce increase in heart rate
 PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS

INTRODUCTION
Parasympathomimetic drugs are also known as cholinomimetic/cholinergic drugs.
Acetylcholine is an endogenous neurotransmitter. Parasympathomimetic drugs
stimulate the action of the parasympathetic nervous system by activating the
cholinergic receptors (muscarinic M and/or nicotinic N receptor) and/or increasing
the availability of acetylcholine Muscarinic receptor mainly present in the gastric
glands (M1 receptor) heart (M2 receptor), and smooth muscles (M3 receptor) and their
activation causes the gastric secretion, cardiac depression, and smooth muscle
contraction. Nicotine receptors are present in the autonomic ganglion (NN receptor)
and neuromuscular junction (NM receptor) and their activation cause the stimulation
of autonomic ganglion and skeletal muscles
Animal models used for screening parasympathomimetics

In Vivo Models
1. Blood pressure response in anesthetized animals
2. Miosis effect on rabbit eye

In Vitro Models
1. Isolated heart Preparation
2. Isolated ileum preparation
3. Frog's rectus abdominis muscle preparation
4. Isolated tracheal chain preparations
 IN-VIVO MODELS
Blood pressure response in anesthetized animals:
Parasympathetic stimulation produces fall in blood pressure due to vasodilatation. The
acetylcholine (2 ug) is used as a standard. Blood pressure response depends upon the dose
of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine at 2 ug causes fall in blood pressure without any changes in
heart rate, while at high dose (50 µg) produces fall in blood pressure along with
bradycardia due to cardio-inhibition. In this model, dogs, cats and rats can be used. This
model is used to evaluate the cholinomimetic and anticholinesterase activity.

Method:
• Animals are anesthetized with a suitable anesthetic agent and prepared for blood
pressure monitoring.
• Animals are kept on artificial respiration.
• The carotid artery is cannulated for recording blood pressure.
• The femoral vein is cannulated for injecting acetylcholine or test drugs.
• After stabilization, acetylcholine (1-6 ng)/test drug is injected and blood pressure is
recorded.

Interpretation:
The fall in blood pressure after administration is compared with the fall by the
standard acetylcholine preparation
2. Miosis effect on rabbit eye:
Parasympathomimetics like carbachol, pilocarpine, and physostigmine contract the
(miosis) and decrease the intraocular pressure by muscarinic (M3 receptor) action.
Parasympathetic system modulates the eye accommodation through the control of
circular muscles in the eye The activation of M3 muscarinic receptors causes ciliary
muscle contraction, resulting in decrease in diameter of the ring of ciliary muscle.

Method:
• Male rabbits (2-3 kg) are generally used in this model.
• Animals are divided in different groups: control (vehicle treatment), standard, and
test group.
• 0.5-2% pilocarpine and/or 0.25-0.5% physostigmine ophthalmic solution is used as
a standard.
• Eyes of rabbits are washed with distilled and left for 5 min.
• Vehicle/standard/test drug is applied topically to their respective groups and
measured the pupil diameter.
• Calculate the mean pupil diameter in each group.

Interpretation:
Mean pupil diameter of standard and test groups are compared with the control group.
The topical administration of standard or other parasympathomimetics decrease the
pupil diameter and produce mitotic effect
 IN-VITRO MODELS

1. Isolated heart preparation:

Isolated heart preparation model is also used for evaluation of parasympathetic system
similar to the sympathetic system. Parasympathomimetics like acetylcholine (2 ug)
decrease the force of contraction and heart rate by activation of My receptor on heart,
while parasympatholytic (atropine, 20 ug) administration has little effect on the heart
but opposes the effect of parasympathetic stimulation. In this model, frog's or rabbit's
heart is used. The detailed methodology is similar as described in chapter Animal
models for screening sympathomimetics
 PARASYMPATHOLYTICS

INTRODUCTION
Parasympatholytics or anticholinergic drugs reduce the activity of parasympathetic
nervous system and antagonize the action of acetylcholine by blocking cholinergic
receptors. The blockade of muscarinic receptors abolish the action of acetylcholine
and produce spasmolytic activity on bronchial and GI smooth muscles, pupil dilation,
inhibit gastric secretions and increase the heart rate. Moreover, antagonism of
nicotinic receptor produces ganglionic inhibition and relaxes the skeletal muscle.
Animal models used for screening parasympatholytics

In Vivo Models
1. Blood pressure response in Dogs
2. Mydriasis effect in eye
3. Acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs

In Vitro Models
1. Isolated ileum preparation
2. Frog's rectus abdominis muscle preparation
3. Isolated heartpreparation
 IN-VIVO MODELS
1. Blood pressure response in dogs:
Parasympatholytic like atropine increase the heart rate and it blocks the blood pressure
and heart rate response of acetylcholine.

Method:
• Dogs are anesthetized with a suitable anesthetic agent and prepared for blood
pressure and heart rate monitoring
• Animals are kept in artificial respiration.
• The carotid artery is cannulated for recording blood pressure.
• The femoral vein is cannulated for injecting atropine/acetylcholine/test
parasympatholytic drugs.
• After stabilization different doses of acetylcholine (2-10 ug/kg) are injected and
recorded the blood pressure and heart rate.
• A single dose of atropine standard (1 mg/kg)/test drug is administered and the
responses are monitored.
• Then again acetylcholine is injected in the same doses to record the blood pressure
and heart rate.

Interpretation:
The response of acetylcholine before and after parasympatholytics is compared. The
parasympatholytic agents block the responses of acetylcholine to increase the heart
rate
2. Mydriasis effect in eye:
Parasympatholytics like atropine and tropicamide dilate the pupil by blocking the
muscarinic (M3 receptor) action on the eye.
Method:
Rabbits (2-3 kg), rats (150-200 g) and mice (25-30 g) are generally used in this
model. Animals are divided into different groups: control (vehicle treatment),
standard, and test group. In rabbits, vehicle/standard (0.1% w/v atropine)/test drugs
are applied topicallyand in rodents, drugs solution are injected intraperitoneally. Five
min after topical application and 30 min after intraperitoneally injection, pupil
diameters of each animal is monitored. Mean pupil diameter of each group is
calculated.
Interpretation:
Mean pupil diameter of standard and test groups are compared with the control group.
The administration of standard or other parasympatholytics increase the pupil
diameter and produce mydriasis effect in the eye
3. Acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs:
Acetylcholine causes the bronchi smooth muscle contraction resulting in hypoxia and
finally leads to convulsion. Histamine chamber (Fig. 221) is used in this method.
Acetylcholine (10%) is to be given as aerosol under a constant pressure 40 mm/Hg
from the inbuilt nebulizer of the histamine chamber. The time required for appearance
of preconvulsive dyspnoea symptoms are monitored. Parasympatholytics can delay the
occurrence of these symptoms.
Method:
• Guinea pigs are generally used in this model.
• Animals are divided into control and test group.
• Each animal is placed in histamine chamber before the treatment and exposed to
acetylcholine (10% aerosol) and the time required for appearance of preconvulsive
dyspnoea is recorded.
• After that, animals are removed from the chamber and left into the fresh air for 24
hours.
• Next day animals from the control group are treated with vehicle and animals of test
group are treated with the test parasympatholytic.
• Thirty min after the treatment, animals are placed again in histamine chamber with
acetylcholine (10%) aerosol) and the time for preconvulsive dyspnoea is recorded.
• Percent increase of preconvulsive time is calculated.

Interpretation:
Results of test group are compared with control group. If the test drug delays the
preconvulsive dyspnoea time, the drug is considered as a parasympatholytic agent
 IN-VITRO MODELS

1. Isolated ileum preparation:

Similar to the assay of parasympathomimetics, gastrointestinal ileum preparation is
also a most common model for evaluating of parasympatholytic agents.
Parasympatholytics block the contractile response of parasympathetic stimulation. The
guinea pigs, rats, rabbits and cock is used to isolate the ileum. The percentage
inhibition of a parasympatholytic is recorded against acetylcholine-induced contraction.

Method:
• After stabilization of tissue preparation baseline is recorded on kymograph, then
dose response curve of standard acetylcholine solution (1 ug onward) is recorded
upto ceiling effect.
• The tissue is washed with a fresh Tyrode solution (2-3 time)
• Then a standard atropine (3.5 nM or 0.01 ug/ml concentration in an organ bath)/test
preparation (antagonist) is added in organ bath for 2-5 min and without washing
standard acetylcholine solution is added to record the response again with the same
dose
• Calculate the percentage inhibition response.