Behavioral effects of salbutamol and/or L-(+)-ascorbic acid in the mouse after single and multiple dosing

The acute and chronic effects of salbutamol alone and L-(+)-ascorbic acid alone and in combination were evaluated on "open-field" test in mice. Administered singly and acutely (30 min before the test), both salbutamol (0.003 mmol/kg i.p.) and L-(+)-ascorbic acid (0.35-0.71 and 1.42 mmol/kg i.p.) significantly reduced ambulation scores. This decrease was higher in L-(+)-ascorbic acid - than in salbutamol-treated mice. Rearing behavior was significantly increased only in salbutamol-treated animals. In animals treated chronically (once a day for 15 days) the depression of salbutamol-induced ambulation was more marked than in mice treated acutely. This decrease was partially reversed by L-(+)-ascorbic acid treatment. With respect to rearing scores, a significant increase was found after salbutamol and L-(+)-ascorbic acid administered alone or in combination. In conclusion, these experiments show that salbutamol induces a direct effect on behavior, that is to reduce motor activity, being the reduction more marked after chronic treatment. The association of the beta 2-agonist with L-(+)-ascorbic acid can attenuate some of the depressant effects of chronic salbutamol administration on behavior.