[Curative effects of diverse, centrally active drugs in rats poisoned with 3-methylcholanthrene (author's transl)]

Drugs like picrotoxine, apomorphine, ephedrine and strychnine, affecting the central nervous system, cured rats after surgical removal of methylcholanthrene tumours. Picrotoxine was most effective, in the dosage of 0.6 mg/kg s.c., all rats were cured. The therapeutic range of picrotoxine was remarkably small. Variations of only plus or minus 0.1 mg/kg of the optimal dosage, caused a 50% reduction of survival rate. Stimulation of the immune system could be excluded as an influence on survival. All animals treated with methylcholanthren showed changes in the EEG, starting after 24 hrs and persisting for 3 months, the time of the last recording. It is suggested that methylcholanthren caused some central damage. Central stimulation is suggested as the cause of the improved cure rate.