[Immunotropic activity of a potential antiparkinson agent himantane]

N-(Adamant-2-yl) hexamethyleneimine hydrochloride (A-7, himantane), a new potential antiparkinsonian drug belonging to the class of aminoadamantyl derivatives, exhibits pronounced immunomodulant activity in a therapeutic dose of 10 mg/kg. A single intraperitoneal injection of himantane stimulated a high B-lymphocyte activity in mice over a period of 21 days. The drug inhibited the reaction of delayed hypersensitivity with respect to the Freund adjuvant, while enhancing the immediate reaction with respect to horse serum in guinea pigs. Himantane increased the functional (absorption) activity of macrophages in the peritoneal exudate, while not affecting superoxide anion production by the macrophages. These results suggest that the immunomodulant activity of himantane may produce a positive neuroprotective and symptomatic effects in the course of parkinsonism.