[A review of pharmacological studies on nicergoline].

10-Methoxy-1,6-dimethyl-ergoline-8 beta-methanol-(5-bromonicotinate) (nicergoline, Sermion) shows a strong alpha-blocking activity both in vitro and in vivo. Various studies (dog, cat, rabbit, rat, mouse, guinea-pig) show that nicergoline affects only slightly blood pressure and heart rate and increases the blood flow in brain and hind limb without affecting the splanchnic and aortic flow in normal animals. Nicergoline does not interfere with CNS functions unless applied in high doses. It stimulates the muscle oxidative metabolism and function and lacks any emetic and hallucinogenic activity. Its acute and chronic toxicity in different animal species is very low.