Introduction

Ethanol dependence and abuse is an important problem of public health worldwide and its withdrawal shows some severe behavioural complication. Management of ethanol withdrawal syndrome (EWS) is still a challenge, thus the presented report postulates the possible mechanism involved in the development of EWS.

Material and methods

EWS was induced by administration of ethanol for 21 days and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1b/1d agonist treated group receives Zolmitriptan (ZMT) at 30 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to ethanol withdrawal. The effect of 5-HT 1b/1d receptor agonist on EWS was determined by estimating the change in the behaviour of withdrawal signs that included locomotor hyperactivity, agitation, tremor, tail stiffness, stereotyped behaviour, and wet dog shakes at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 h of ethanol withdrawal. Ethanol withdrawal induced anxiety was determined by using the elevated plus maze and levels of neurochemicals such as g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate and dopamine were determined in the brain of each group of rats.

Results

Data of the given report reveal that Zolmitriptan reverses (p < 0.01) the behavioural changes induced due to EWS and also reduces the anxiety level in EWS rats. Moreover, Zolmitriptan was found to stimulate (p < 0.01) the level of GABA and ameliorate the level of other neurochemicals in the brain of EWS rats.

Conclusions

In conclusion, data of investigation reveal that 5-HT 1b/1d receptor involved in the EWS and treatment with its agonist prevents the behavioural changes in EWS by regulating the level of different neurochemicals.