Involvement of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor in cisplatin induced emesis in dogs

The effect of drug acting on 5-HT1A, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors were studied against cisplatin and apomorphine induced emesis in dogs. Buspirone, 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist significantly reduced the emetic episodes though it had no significant effect on emetic latency. Mianserin, 5-HT2 receptor antagonist exhibited significant reduction in emetic episodes and in latency. Buspirone prevented the apomorphine induced emesis while mianserin had no effect. The antiemetic activity of buspirone may be attributable to its agonistic activity at 5-HT1A receptor and antagonistic activity at dopamine receptors. These findings further confirm the involvement of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor in cytotoxic drug induced emesis, though the species difference in their antiemetic action can not be ruled out.