Nicotine-induced salivation in cats: effects of various drugs

The effect of an intracerebroventricular injection of an antimuscarinic drug, ganglionic blocking agent, alpha and beta adrenergic blocking drug, antiserotonin agent or antihistamine upon salivation produced by nicotine similarly injected in the cat was investigated. Atropine and hexamethonium abolished the salivation evoked by nicotine. On the other hand, salivation induced by nicotine was not significantly altered by yohimbine, practolol, methysergide and antazoline. It is concluded that the salivation produced by nicotine is mediated via central receptors which have mixed nicotinic and muscarinic properties.