Histamine induces nasal obstruction via calcitonin gene-related peptide in sensitized guinea pigs.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the late phase nasal obstruction that is induced by a nasal histamine challenge in sensitized guinea pigs. The volume of the nasal cavity was measured using an acoustic rhinometer. A nasal histamine challenge to unsensitized animals induced nasal obstruction at 30 minutes after the challenge while a challenge to sensitized animals induced nasal obstruction not only at 30 minutes but also at 4-6 hours.

The pharmacological effects of Daikenchuto, a traditional herbal medicine, on delayed gastrointestinal transit in rat postoperative ileus.

The effect of Daikenchuto, a traditional herbal medicine, on gastrointestinal hypoperistalsis in postoperative ileus (POI) was investigated. POI was induced by laparotomy with manipulation of the gastrointestine under anesthesia, and gastrointestinal transit was calculated by migration of Evans blue. Daikenchuto (270 - 2,700 mg/kg, p.

Effects of Byakko-ka-ninjin-to on salivary secretion and bladder function in rats.

Byakko-ka-ninjin-to (BN) is a Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine) that is frequently used to treat xerostomia, which is also a side effect of anticholinergic agents such as oxybutynin and propiverine widely used for the treatment of patients with urinary incontinence or frequency. We investigated the effects of BN on salivation and bladder function in rats, in the presence and absence of oxybutynin. Treatment with BN alone resulted in a slight increase in salivary secretions.

Pharmacological characteristics of Ryokan-kyomi-shinge-nin-to, an antiallergic Kampo medicine.

The pharmacological characteristics of Ryokan-kyomi-shinge-nin-to (RKS), a traditional oriental herbal (Kampo) medicine which has been used for the treatment of allergic asthma and rhinitis, were investigated. The number of sneezes by actively sensitized mice after a topical antigen challenge was significantly reduced by pretreatment with RKS (300 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.

Mesaconitine-induced relaxation in rat aorta: involvement of Ca2+ influx and nitric-oxide synthase in the endothelium.

Aconiti tuber, roots of aconite (Aconitum japonicum), is an oriental herbal medicine used for centuries in Japan and China to improve the health of persons with a weak constitution and poor metabolism. We investigated the effects of mesaconitine, one of the aconite alkaloids in Aconiti tuber, on the contraction and free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) level in isolated rat thoracic aorta. Mesaconitine at 30 microM inhibited 3 microM phenylephrine-induced contraction in the endothelium-intact, but not endothelium-denuded, aortic rings.