Short communication Ibogaine-like effects of noribogaine in rats

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that has been claimed to be effective in treating addiction to opioids and stimulants; a \i1191c dose is claimed to be effective for 6 months. Analogously, studies in rats have demonstrated prolonged (one or more days) effcclh 01 ibogaine on morphine and cocaine self-administration even though ibogaine is mostly eliminated ffql ” the body in several hours. These observations have suggested that a metabolite may mediate some of the effects of ibogaine. Recently, noribogaine was identified as a metabolite of ibogaine. Accordingly, the present study sought to determine, in rats, whether noribogaine had pharmacological effects mimicking those of ibogaine. Noribogaine (40 mg/kg) was found to decrease morphine and cocaine self-administration, reduce the locomotor stimulant effect of morphine, and decrease extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and stiiatum. All of these effects were similar to effects previously observed with ibogaine (40 mg/kg); however, noribogaine did not induce any ibogaine-like tremors. The results suggest that noribogaine may be a mediator of ibogaine’s putative anti-addictive effects