Membrane stabilising properties of the selective 5-HT2 receptor agonist, (+/-)-DOI

The effects of (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), a selective 5-HT2 receptor agonist, on nerve conduction in the isolated frog sciatic nerve trunk were examined. Compound action potential amplitude was concentration dependently decreased by (+/-)-DOI (EC50 = 1.2 mM), an effect that was not altered by the presence of ketanserin and with a similar potency to lignocaine. (+/-)-propranolol and disopyramide. The results indicate that (+/-)-DOI has membrane stabilising properties, in addition to its reported 5-HT2 agonist actions.