Smooth muscle relaxation activity of an aqueous extract of dried immature fruit of Poncirus trifoliata (PF-W) on an isolated strip of rat ileum.

We demonstrated that an aqueous extract of dried immature fruit of Poncirus trifoliate (PF-W) produces relaxation of intestinal smooth muscle using the ileac strips of a rat. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of its relaxant activity was investigated. PF-W was prepared using the standard extraction protocol.

Male-specific alteration in excitatory post-synaptic development and social interaction in pre-natal valproic acid exposure model of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by three main behavioral symptoms including social deficits, impaired communication, and stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. ASD prevalence shows gender bias to male. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a drug used in epilepsy and bipolar disorder, induces autistic symptoms in both human and rodents.

A simple behavioral paradigm to measure impulsive behavior in an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) of the spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Impulsiveness is an important component of many psychiatric disorders including Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although the neurobiological basis of ADHD is unresolved, behavioral tests in animal models have become indispensable tools for improving our understanding of this disorder. In the punishment/extinction paradigm, impulsivity is shown by subjects that persevere with responding despite punishment or unrewarded responses.

Red ginseng supplementation more effectively alleviates psychological than physical fatigue.

Red ginseng (RG, the extract of Panax ginseng Meyer) has various biological and psychological activities and may also alleviate fatigue-related disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate what kind of fatigue red ginseng alleviate. Animals were orally administered with 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of RG for 7 days.

Convulsion-related activities of Scutellaria flavones are related to the 5,7-dihydroxyl structures.

We screened the major bioactive flavones isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis (baicalin, baicalein and oroxylin A) for their convulsion related activities. In electrogenic response score system and the pentylenetetrazole seizure model, baicalein but not oroxylin A and baicalin exhibited anticonvulsant effects. In vitro studies also revealed that baicalein induced intracellular Cl(-) influx, whereas oroxylin A blocked muscimol- and baicalein-induced intracellular Cl(-) influx.

Bladder-relaxant properties of the novel benzofuroindole analogue LDD175.

The present study describes the bladder-relaxant properties of LDD175 (4-chloro-7-trifluoromethyl-10H-benzo[4,5]furo [3,2-b]indole-1-carboxylic acid), a novel benzofuroindole compound. LDD175 had no significant effect on the spontaneous and electrically evoked bladder contractions, but produced concentration-dependent relaxation in strips precontracted by 1 micromol/l acetylcholine (pEC(50) = 5.9 +/- 0.

Inhibition of intestinal motility by the putative BK(Ca) channel opener LDD175.

LDD175 (4-chloro-7-trifluoromethyl-10H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-b]indole-1-carboxylic acid) is a benzofuroindole compound characterized previously as a potent opener of the large conductance calcium activated (BK(Ca)) channels. Activators of the BK(Ca) channels are potential therapies for smooth muscle hyperactivity disorders. The present study investigates the influence of LDD175 on the mechanical activity of the ileum smooth muscle.