Moxonidine and rilmenidine injected into the medial septal area reduces the salivation induced by pilocarpine

We determined the effects of moxonidine and rilmenidine 20 nmol (α2-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonists) injected into the medial septal area (MSA) on the pilocarpine-induced salivation, when injected intraperitoneally (i.p.), of male Holtzman rats weighing 250–300 g, with stainless-steel cannula implanted into the MSA. The rats were anesthetized with zoletil 50 mg kg−1 b.wt. (tiletamine chloridrate 125.0 mg and zolazepan chloridrate 125.0 mg) into quadriceps muscle intramuscularly (IM), saliva was collected using pre-weighed small cotton balls inserted in the animalʹs mouth. The pre-treatment with moxonidine injected into the MSA reduced the salivation induced by pilocarpine (1 mg kg−1) injected i.p. (12±3 mg min−1) vs. control (99±9 mg min−1). The pre-treatment with rilmenidine 40 nmol also reduced the salivation induce by pilocarpine injected i.p. (20±5 mg min−1) vs. control (94±7 mg min−1). Idazoxan 40 nmol (imidazoline receptor antagonist) injected into the MSA previous to moxonidine and rilmenidine partially blocked the effect of moxonidine and totally blocked the rilmenidine effect in pilocarpine-induced salivation injected i.p. (60±8 and 95±10 mg min−1, respectively). Yohimbine 40 nmol (α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) injected into the MSA previously to moxonidine and rilmenidine partially blocked the moxonidine effect but produced no change on the rilmenidine effect on i.p. pilocarpine-induced salivation (70±6 and 24±6 mg min−1, respectively). Injection of these α2-adrenergic and imidazoline agonists and antagonists agents i.p. produced no change on i.p. pilocarpine-induced salivation. These results show that central, but not peripheral, injection of α2-adrenergic and imidazoline agonistsʹ agents inhibit pilocarpine-induced salivation. Idazoxan, an imidazoline receptor antagonist, totally inhibits the rilmenidine effect and partially inhibits the moxonidine effect on pilocarpine-induced salivation. Yohimbine produced no change on rilmenidine effect but partially inhibited the moxonidine effect. Both of these antagonists when injected into the MSA previous to pilocarpine i.p. potentiated the sialogogue effect of pilocarpine. The results suggest that α2-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor of the MSA when stimulated blocked pilocarpine-induced salivation in rats when injected intraperitonially. These receptors of the medial septal area have an inhibitory mechanism on salivary secretion.