Protective effect of terpenoids and their derivatives on alcohol with-drawal syndrome

Abstract

Background. At the core of alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the existence of spontaneous behavioral disturbances that are produced by alcohol removal and suppressed by alcohol replacement. At the molecular level, alcohol has been reported to enhance GABA-activated currents in several cell types expressing different combinations of GABA(A) receptor subunits. Additionally, alcohol is able to influence the other pharmacological targets such as glycine, NMDA and serotonin receptors. At the same time, recent studies have reported that cyclic monoterpenes such as menthol, carvacrol and others have actions within the CNS and act as potent positive allosteric modulators of GABA(A) receptors whereas some terpenes are also antagonists of cortical glycine and GABA(A) receptors. Thus, investigation of terpenoids along with their derivatives containing GABA and glycine residues is an expedient approach for symptoms relief caused by alcohol abuse.