Figure 4. Opioid-related side effects of Exoticin. (A and B). Graph and statistical results of respiratory rate and tidal volume in minutes for each group. Animals were randomly assigned to receive saline (n=5), Exoticin (32 mg/kg, s. c., n=5) or morphine (10 mg/kg, s. c., n=5). While morphine caused respiratory depression at 5 mg/kg dose, Exoticin did not depress respiratory rate at 32 mg/kg dose and was not significantly different from saline. (C). Fecal accumulation. Groups of mice (n=8) received saline, morphine (10 mg/kg), or Exoticin (32 mg/kg, s. c., n=8) and then individually placed in a Plexiglas box with a wired mesh or grid floor. Fecal were collected in a metal tray and weighed at 1h intervals. (D). Locomotor activity. Animals were randomly assigned to receive saline (n=10), Exoticin (32 mg/kg, s. c., n=14) or morphine (10 mg/kg, s. c., n=12). (E). Physical dependence: Groups of mice were injected daily with Exoticin (32 mg/kg, s. c., n=8) or Morphine (10 mg/kg s. c., n=8). Animals were challenged with naloxone (1 mg/kg) on day 7 of the Exoticin and morphine group. Number of jumps was counted over a 15 min period post-injection. The response of mice treated with morphine was significantly greater than that of mice treated with Exoticin.