Effects of gastrodin on the dopamine system of Tourette's syndrome rat models.

Gastrodin is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat Tourette's syndrome (TS). This study evaluated the effects of gastrodin on the dopamine system. TS rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine. After intervention by gastrodin, stereotyped behaviors of TS rats were significantly inhibited and levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) were significantly increased. We conclude that gastrodin effectively inhibited stereotyped behaviors and controlled TS symptoms by promoting dopamine metabolism, thereby increasing levels of HVA in sera.