• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.34 no.4 s.135
• /
• pp.318-323
• /
• 2003

Extracts of Black cohosh (Cimicifugae rhizoma) have been used for the treatment of climacteric complaints for decades. A significant number of woman entering menopause exhibit the following symptoms: getting hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, depression, and anxiety, A reduction of the frequency of hot flushes equivalents and hints on the antidepressant activity of Cimcifuga extracts. In the present work, we have screened several 80% ethanol extracts from medicinal plants and found that the extracts from Cimicifugae Rhizoma(Black cohosh:승마) have inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion in bovine chromaffin cell. Since this extract inhibited 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP)-induced catecholamine secretion, but did not inhibit KCl, bradykinin, and veratridine-evoked case, this inhibitory effect is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with noncompetitive manner.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.93-100
• /
• 2001

Drug inetraction between of enalapril-induced angiotensin converting enzym) inhibitory effect and Ginkgo biloba Ext.-induced antioxidant action was evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Combination treatment of enalapril (20 mg/kg/day p.o.) and Ginkgo biloba Ext. (60 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 6 weeks in drinking water to SHRs resulted the inhibition of ACE activity in lung tissue, angiotensin I-induced pressure response and plasma angiotensin II concentration as similar to enalapril alone treatment. But these effects were sustained after 1 week withdrawal of enalapril and Ginkgo biloba Ext. co-administeration. Also, coadministered group did not increase the concentration of bradykinin in lung tissue, which were different from enalapril alone treated group. Co-administration of enalapril and Ginkgo biloba Ext. inhibited the hemolysis induced by UV B type, even Ginkgo biloba Ext. alone treated group did not. These results suggested that Ginkgo biloba Ext. sustained ACE inhibitory effect and reduced the inhibitory effect of bradykinin inactivation induced by enalapril, meanwhile, enalapril increased the antioxidant effect of Ginkgo biloba Ext.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.24 no.12
• /
• pp.1742-1750
• /
• 2003

In order to characterize the hydrophobic parameters of N-acetyl amino acid amides in 1-octanol/water, a theoretical calculation was carried out using a solvation free energy density model. The hydrophobicity parameters of the molecules are obtained with the consideration of the solvation free energy over the solvent volume surrounding the solute, using a grid model. Our method can account for the solvent accessible surface area of the molecules according to conformational variations. Through a comparison of the hydrophobicity of our calculation and that of other experimental/theoretical works, the solvation free energy density model is proven to be a useful tool for the evaluation of the hydrophobicity of amino acids and peptides. In order to evaluate the solvation free energy density model as a method of calculating the activity of drugs using the hydrophobicity of its building blocks, the contracture of Bradykinin potentiating pentapeptide was also predicted from the hydrophobicity of each residue. The solvation free energy density model can be used to employ descriptors for the prediction of peptide activities in drug discovery, as well as to calculate the hydrophobicity of amino acids.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 1987

To elucidate the mechanism of splanchnic hyperemia associated with chronic portal hypertension, we have investigated the alteration in visceral reflexes in conjuction with circulatory hemodynamics in portal ligated portal hypertension in cats. When capsaicin, bradykinin and vasopressin were injected via splenic artery of sham cat, respectively, they caused not only reflex excitation of systemic arterial pressure, but also elevation of splenic venous pressure with unchanged heart rates. Simultaneously, they evoked the sympathetic efferent excitation of liver (spleno-hepatic reflex) as well as of spleen (spleno-splenic reflex). Similarly, capsaicin upon pledging on the liver surface evoked a significant increase in the pressor reflex with hepatic nerve excitation (hepato-hepatic reflex). After portal ligation, the splenic venous pressure was gradually elevated in association with decrease in systemic arterial pressure. However, the excitation of pressor reflex was enhanced on the and day, thereafter, being returned to the control, and the reflexly induced spleno-splenic, spleno-hepatic and hepato-hepatic sympathetic excitations were significantly diminished on the 8th day following portal vein ligation. In conclusion, it is suggested that sympathetic reflexes to spleen and liver are specifically intervened by the same central pathways and furthermore, the diminution of these viscero-visceral reflex excitations after portal ligation may be related to the intestinal hyperemia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 1998.06a
• /
• pp.32-32
• /
• 1998

The effect of neurotensin (NT) was investigated in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. When PC12 cells were treated with micromolar concentrations of NT, [$^3$H]norepinephrine ([$^3$H]NE) secretion and elevation of cytosolic Ca$\^$2＋/ concentration ([Ca$\^$2＋/]i) were evoked in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC$\sub$50/ of 50 ${\mu}$M.(omitted)

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.200-202
• /
• 1981

Alisol B(II) and alisol B monoacetate (III) isolated from the rhizome of Alisma orientale Jazepczuk (Alismataceae) showed antagonistic effects against the contractions induced by angiotensin and bradykinin in rat ileum. However, they seem to be nonspecific antagonism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Fisheries Technology Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.193-194
• /
• 2002

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor was purified from Crassostrea gigas. The ACE belongs to the class of metalloprotease. This enzyme plays an important physiological role in regulating blood pressure of the rennin-angiotensin system by converting from angiotensin I to octapeptide angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor and by inactivating bradykinin, which has depressor action. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 1999.06a
• /
• pp.67-67
• /
• 1999

The effect of chlorpromazine on the store-operated Ca$\^$2＋/ entry subsequently activated via the phospholipase C signaling pathway was investigated in PC12 cells. Chlorpromazine caused a rapid decline of the bradykinin-induced Ca$\^$2＋/ increase to basal level without attenuating the peak level.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1997.04a
• /
• pp.90-90
• /
• 1997

Natural products, which have been used for the treatment of hypertension, diuresis and nephritis in traditional oriental medicine, were selected for the screening of nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells and kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo by measuring the conversion of [$\^$14/C]-L-arginine to [$\^$14/C]-L-citrulline, a coproduct of the enzyme reaction with NO. Confluent monolayer of endothelial cells were used for the screening of 16 natural products. Among the natural products, Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula stimulated endothelial NO synthase activity. Thus, both confluent monolayer of endothelial cells and kidney homogenates (glomeruli, cortical tubules, meudllae) were treated with Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (final concentration 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and NO releases were compared with those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in vitro. In rat experiment, NO releases in glomeruli, cortical tubules and medullae and plasma renin activity were assessed after intraperitoneal injection of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days). As a result, both Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula significantly increased NO releases in cultured endothelial cells, kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo. Stimulation of NO releases by Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula was similar to those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in cultured endothelial cells. However, plasma renin activity was not influenced by these two natural products. In conclusion, stimulatory effects of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula on NO release in kidney may contribute their hypotensive effects and antinephritic action possibly by increasing renal blood flow.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.145-150
• /
• 2010

Adenosine (Ado) is an important mediator of the endogenous defense against ischemia-induced injury in the heart. The action of Ado is mediated by activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying $K^+$ (GIRK) channels. In turn, GIRK channels are inhibited by reducing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ($PIP_2$) through Gq protein-coupled receptors (GqPCRs). We previously found that GIRK channels activated by acetylcholine, a muscarinic M2 acetylcholine receptor agonist, are inhibited by GqPCRs in a receptor-specific manner. However, it is not known whether GIRK channels activated by Ado signaling are also regulated by GqPCRs. Presently, this was investigated in mouse atrial myocytes using the patch clamp technique. GIRK channels were activated by $100\;{\mu}M$ Ado. When Ado was repetitively applied at intervals of 5~6 min, the amplitude of second Ado-activated GIRK currents ($I_{K(Ado)}$) was $88.3{\pm}3.7%$ of the first $I_{K(Ado)}$ in the control. Pretreatment of atrial myocytes with phenylephrine, endothelin-1, or bradykinin prior to a second application of Ado reduced the amplitude of the second $I_{K(Ado)}$ to $25.5{\pm}11.6%$, $30.5{\pm}5.6%$, and $96.0{\pm}2.7%$, respectively. The potency of $I_{K(Ado)}$ inhibition by GqPCRs was different with that observed in acetylcholine-activated GIRK currents ($I_{K(ACh)}$) (endothelin-1>phenylephrine>bradykinin). $I_{K(Ado)}$ was almost completely inhibited by $500\;{\mu}M$ of the $PIP_2$ scavenger neomycin, suggesting low $PIP_2$ affinity of $I_{K(Ado)}$. Taken together, these results suggest that the crosstalk between GqPCRs and the Ado-induced signaling pathway is receptor-specific. The differential change in $PIP_2$ affinity of GIRK channels activated by Ado and ACh may underlie, at least in part, their differential responses to GqPCR agonists.