Biomol Ther.  2019 Jul;27(4):357-362. 10.4062/biomolther.2018.213.

Limonene Inhibits Methamphetamine-Induced Sensitizations via the Regulation of Dopamine Receptor Supersensitivity

• Gu SM
• Kim SY
• Lamichhane S
• Hong JT
• Yun J

• KMID: 2455090
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2018.213

Abstract

Limonene is a cyclic terpene found in citrus essential oils and inhibits methamphetamine-induced locomotor activity. Drug dependence is a severe neuropsychiatric condition that depends in part on changes in neurotransmission and neuroadaptation, induced by exposure to recreational drugs such as morphine and methamphetamine. In this study, we investigated the effects of limonene on the psychological dependence induced by drug abuse. The development of sensitization, dopamine receptor supersensitivity, and conditioned place preferences in rats was measured following administration of limonene (10 or 20 mg/kg) and methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) for 4 days. Limonene inhibits methamphetamine-induced sensitization to locomotor activity. Expression of dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by apomorphine, a dopamine receptor agonist, was significantly reduced in limonene-pretreated rats. However, there was no significant difference in methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preferences between the limonene and control groups. These results suggest that limonene may ameliorate drug addiction-related behaviors by regulating postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity.

Keyword

Dopamine receptor supersensitivity; Methamphetamine; Sensitization; Limonene

MeSH Terms

Animals
Apomorphine
Citrus
Dopamine Agonists
Dopamine*
Methamphetamine
Morphine
Motor Activity
Oils, Volatile
Rats
Receptors, Dopamine*
Street Drugs
Substance-Related Disorders
Synaptic Transmission
Apomorphine
Dopamine
Dopamine Agonists
Methamphetamine
Morphine
Oils, Volatile
Receptors, Dopamine
Street Drugs