Effect of procarbazine on benzodiazepine receptor in mouse brain

Procarbazine, a non-benzodiazepine tranquilizer and anti-convulsant, significantly decreased the binding of [3H]diazepam to mouse cerebellar membranes. The drug treatment reduced both the affinity and density of the receptor. The effect, however, was more pronounced on the number of binding sites suggesting occupation of the receptor by procarbazine. The results suggest that benzodiazepine receptors may also be involved in the pharmacological action of non-benzodiazepine drugs.