The blocking action of anabasin on the neuromuscular junction
Abstract
Anabsin, an alkaloid extracted from the root of Alangium chinense, exerted a significant neuromuscular blocking effect on isolated rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations. This blocking action could be partly antagonized by neostigmine. On rat denervated diaphragms, anabasin inhibited the muscular response to acetylcholine.
Anabasin showed a depolarizing effect on isolated frog sartorius muscles. Anabasin (0.83 microg/ml) increased at first, and then decreased, the frequency of the miniature end-plate potentials (mepp). Anabasin inhibited the end-plate potential (epp) and its quantal content, but did not alter the nerve terminal potential (ntp).
In conclusion, anabasin has both presynaptic and postsynaptic effects on neuromuscular junction. It is a depolarizing muscle relaxant with some characteristics of competitive muscle relaxant.
Keywords:
Anabasin showed a depolarizing effect on isolated frog sartorius muscles. Anabasin (0.83 microg/ml) increased at first, and then decreased, the frequency of the miniature end-plate potentials (mepp). Anabasin inhibited the end-plate potential (epp) and its quantal content, but did not alter the nerve terminal potential (ntp).
In conclusion, anabasin has both presynaptic and postsynaptic effects on neuromuscular junction. It is a depolarizing muscle relaxant with some characteristics of competitive muscle relaxant.