Parishin C attenuates phencyclidine-induced schizophrenia-like psychosis in mice: Involvements of 5-HT_1A receptor

Parishin C, a major component of Gastrodia elata B LUME (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 5-HT_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-γS binding assay. Our results suggest that the antipsychotic effects of parishin C require activation of 5-HT_1A receptors.