Xanthotoxol (XT) is a coumarin isolated from ethanolic extract of fruits of Cnidium monnieri (L. )Cus　son. It is effective not only for the prevention of ventricular fibrillation of mice induced by chloroform or that of rats induced by calcium chloride,but also is effective for the treatment of arrhythmia induced by aconitine in rats. It can raise the threshold of ventricular fibrillation induced by electrical stimulation in rabbits. Fur　thermore,XT can inhibit the action potential amplitude of isolated sciatic nerves in toads. These results indi　cated that XT possesses antiarrhythmic effects. The iv LD50 of XT in mice is 47.0mg/kg

Objective To investigate the protective effect of osthole on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model in rat was made by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 h and followed by reperfusion for 24 h.Osthole 5 and 10 mg/kg were iv injected through sublingual vein at 1 h after the onset of ischemia,respectively.After 24 h of reperfusion,the influence of osthole on neurological behaviour deficit score,brain edema,and infarct size were evaluated.The activity of Na+,K+-ATPase,Ca2+-ATPase,and myeloperoxidase(MPO)in the ischemic hemisphere cortex of the middle cerebral artery area was assayed by spectrophotometry.The level of IL-8 was detected with radioimmunoassay.Results Osthole significantly reduced the neurological behaviour deficit score,brain edema,and infarct size,enhanced the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase,inhibited the activity of MPO,and decreased the level of IL-8 in the brain tissue.ConclusionThe results suggest that osthole could attenuate the brain damage following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats and its mechanism may be partly related to the inhibition of inflammation and brain edema induced by ischemia-reperfusion.

AIM: To study the effects of xanthotoxol (XT) on physiological characteristics and its mechanism in isolated guinea pig atria. METHODS: It was determined by the contractile amplitude,excitability and the spontaneous beats in the right atria,respectively. RESULTS: In the experiment of contractile amplitude,after 15 min of administration of XT 20, 40 and 80 ?mol?L -1 ,the contractile force of left atria was 0.85 , 0.68 ,and 0.48 g,respectively (P

BACKGROUND: Clerodendron bungei steud(CBS) is a tree from genera of Verbena L. In the present pharmacological studies, CBS has showed anti-inflammatory, antineoplasic, nonspecific immunity-enhancing effects. Myoelectric effect of stimulating uterus round ligament is related with agitating adrenergic α receptor. The experiments about analgesic effect are few.OBJECTIVE: To observe the antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract of CBS in mice through hot plate and writhing tests.DESIGN: Randomized controlled experiment with animals as subjects.SETTING: Departmcent of Pharmmacology, Gannan Medical College.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Department of Pharmacology, Gannan Medical College from March to June 2004. A total of 120Kunming white mice, weighing(20 ± 2) g were provided by the Experiment Animal Center of Gannan Medical College.INTERVENTIONS: In the writhing test, 50 mice were randomly divided into normal saline, aminopyrine group(0. 1 g/kg), morphine group(0.01 g/kg)and extract of CBS groups(20 g/kg, 40 g/kg) . There were 10 mice in each group. Forty minutes after intraperitoneal injection. 6 mL/L acetic acid (10 mL/kg) was injected intraperitoneally, 5 minutes later, the number of writhing body and inhibitory rate of writhing body were observed for 10minutes. In hot plate test, 40 mice were randomly divided into normal saline group, morphine group(0.01 g/kg) and extract of CBS groups(20 g/kg,40 g/kg). There were 10 mice in each group. After intraperitoneal injection,the mice were put on the hot plate, and the temperature was(55 ±0.5) C. The pain threshold was recorded 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration. And 30 white mice were randomly divided into naloxone 0. 04 g/kg + morphine 0.01 g/kg group, aloxone 0.04 g/kg + extract of CBS 40 g/kg group,naloxone 0.04 g/kg + normal saline group for hot plate test antagonized by naloxone(40 mg/kg) . The mice were injected intraperitoneally. The duration of pain reaction were recorded 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after administration.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The number of writhing body and inhibitory rate of writhing body; ② The duration of pain reaction; ③ The pain threshold in the hot-plate test after antagonized by naloxone were calculated.RESULTS: All the 120 white mice entered the result analysis. ① The number of writhing body and inhibitory rate of writhing body: The number of writhing body was 2.4 ± 2.5 and 0. 6 ± 1.7 in the 20 and 40 g/kg extract of CBS injection group respectively and the inhibitory rate of the pain reaction caused by 6 mL/L acetic acid was 93.3% and 98.3% respectively. ② The pain threshold at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration in the hot plate test: the pain threshold was[(121.2±98.7) s, (191.2±78.6) s,(133. 1 ± 91.1 ) s] at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after injection of 20 g/kg extract of clerodendron bungei steud; it was[(233.9 ±70.4) s, (219.6 ±78.2) s,(218.3 ±92.6) s at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after 40 g/kg extract of CBS being given. The pain threshold in the extract of CBS groups was all higher than that in the control group respectively[ (13.7 ± 15.2) s, (9.7 ± 12.5) s,(22. 1 ± 15.6) s] ( P ＜ 0.01 -0. 001) . ③ In naloxone antagonized morphine test, the pain threshold at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after administration in morphine 0.01 g/kg+naloxone 0.04 g/kg group[(1.7±5.2) s (6.4 ± 8.6) s, (21.8 ± 34.0) s]was obviously smaller than that in the extract of CBS 40 g/kg +naloxone 0. 04 g/kg group[(124.9 ±79.4) s,(139.3±72.9) s, (137.9±60.8) s](P ＜0.001).CONCLUSION: Ethanol extract of CBS has strong analgesic effect and this is not manifested through the activation of opioid receptors.

BACKGROUND: Pholidota chinensis lindl (PCL) has been used in folk medicine to treat pulmonary edema, resolve phlegm, relieve cough and resist fatigue. However, its pharmacological effects on hypoxic-ischemic heart and brain damage remain to be unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of PCL extract on survival duration of 5 kinds of anoxia models as well as anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia actions.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Pharmacological Department of Garnnan Medical College.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in the Pharmacological Department of Gannan Medical College frgm March to June 2004. A total of 170 Kunming mice, 25 males and 95 females, weighing (20±2) g, were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Gannan Medical College.METHODS:①Hypoxia-resisting test:Totally 40 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal saline group, hydrochloric propranolol group (0.02 g/kg), and 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups, with 10 in each group. Twenty minutes after administration, the mice were put into hypoxic wide-mouthed bottles of 250 mL volume with sodalime for recording survival time with stopwatch. ② Test of specific anoxic myocardium: Totally 30 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 in each, namely normal saline + isoproterenol group, 10 g/kg PCL extract + isoproterenol group, and hydrochloric propranolol (0.02 g/kg) + isoproterenol group.0.015 g/kg isoproterenol was given to mice in each group. Forty minutes after administration, the mice were put into hypoxic wide-mouthed bottles of 250 mL volume with sodalime for recording survival time with stopwatch. ③ Test of NaNO2-induced hypoxia: Forty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal saline group, hydrochloric propranolol group (0.02 g/kg), 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups, with 10 in each group. Forty minutes after administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 200 mg/kg NaNO2. The survival time was recorded.④Test of cerebral ischemia and hypoxia: Thirty mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal saline group, 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups, with 10 in each group. Forty minutes after administration, the gasping time was recorded. ⑤ Test of exercise tolerance: Thirty mice were randomly divided into normal saline group, 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups, with 10 in each group. Forty minutes after administration, the mice swam with lead load on the tails, which was 2% of the body weight. The swimming test for mice used a circular pool 40 cm in diameter and 30 cm in height, and filled with water to a depth of 25 cm. Water was kept at 20-22 ℃.To study the effects of PCL extract on exercise tolerance, the swimming time of the mice was recorded until they were exhausted, submerged for 8 seconds, and did not float onto the surface again.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The survival time and gasping duration in the hypoxia models after administration.RESULTS: Totally 170 mice entered the final analysis. ① Hypoxia-resisting test: Survival time was longer in 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups than that in normal saline group and hydrochloric propranolol group (F=70.52, P ＜ 0.05); survival time was longer in 10 g/kg PCL extract anoxic group than in 5 g/kg PCL extract group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Test of specificmyocardium: Survival time was longer in 10 g/kg PCL extract + isoproterenol group and hydrochloric propranolol + isoproterenol group than in saline + isoproterenol group (F=37.29, P ＜ 0.05).③ Test of NaNO2-induced hypoxia: Survival time was longer in hydroch　loric propranolol group,5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups than in saline group (F=34.34, P＜ 0.05); survival time was longer in 10 g/kg PCL extract group than in 5g/kg PCL extract group(P<0.05).④Test of cerebral ischemia and hypoxiaGasping time was longer in 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups than in saline group (F=41.00, P ＜ 0.05); gasping time was longer in 10 g/kg PCL extract group than in 5 g/kg PCL extract group (P ＜ 0.05).⑤Test of exeract tolerance:Survival time was longer in 5g/kg and 10 g/kg PCL extract groups than in saline group (F=33.09, P ＜ 0.05);survival time was longer in 10 g/kg PCL extract group than in 5 g/kg PCL extract group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: PCL has anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia effects in a dosage-dependent manner. The effects may be related to Na, K-ATPase change or increase of alveolar fluid clearance.