Sarcorucinine-D Inhibits Cholinesterases and Calcium Channels: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and In Vitro Mechanistic Investigations.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are considered effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease. AChE plays an essential role in the nervous system by catalyzing the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. In this study, the inhibition of the enzyme AChE by Sarcorucinine-D, a pregnane type steroidal alkaloid, was investigated with experimental enzyme kinetics and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques.

Trigonella foenum-graecum Methanolic Extract on Isolated Smooth Muscles and Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme: An In Vitro and Mechanistic In Silico Investigation.

Results: When tested on the baseline of isolated tissues, Tfg.Cr was devoid of any activity (stimulant or relaxant) till 10 mg/ml. This is an interesting finding, keeping in mind that the fenugreek seeds are used to alleviate constipation and diarrhoea.

Spasmolytic Effect of Fruit Extract on Isolated Smooth Muscles is Mediated via Multiple Pathways.

Background: Linn, or phalsa, is a commonly consumed fruit in Pakistan. The fruit is employed in the traditional medicine practice of Pakistan as a smooth muscle relaxant in different gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiovascular diseases. In this investigation, we show the antispasmodic and vasorelaxant actions of fruit extract.

Potential Adverse Consequences of Combination Therapy with Gabapentin and Pregabalin.

Gabapentinoids comprise the medications gabapentin and pregabalin. These were designed to not only look chemically like the central inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) but also act like it. The prototype gabapentin was primarily introduced to be used as antiepileptic medication.

Intestinal, airway, and cardiovascular relaxant activities of thymoquinone.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive component found in many medicinal herbs. In this study, we report the smooth and cardiac muscle relaxant activities of this compound. TQ concentration dependently suppressed spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum while also relaxed high K(+)-(80 mM) induced contractions in jejunum and guinea-pig ileum, indicating activity at voltage-operated Ca(++) channels (VOCC).

Contractile effect of radish and betel nut extracts on rabbit gallbladder.

Raphanus sativus (abbreviated in this paper as Rs.Cr) and Areca catechu (Ac.Cr), commonly known as radish and betel nut respectively, are traditionally used in South Asia for different gastrointestinal, gallbladder, and hepatic diseases.

Identification of antiplatelet and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory constituents in betel nut.

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism and the compound(s) responsible for the antiplatelet and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effects of Areca catechu crude extract (Ac.Cr).

Methods: Aqueous-methanol (70%) was used for extraction of plant material (betel nut).

Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of psyllium husk (Ispaghula) in constipation and diarrhea.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacological basis of the medicinal use of psyllium husk (Ispaghula) in gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Methods: In-vivo studies were conducted on mice, and isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum were used in in-vitro experiments.

Results: The crude extract of Ispaghula (Po.

Real-time Imaging of Ca-handling in Intact Renal Glomeruli Using Confocal Microscopy.

Glomeruli are filtering units in the kidneys. Being multicellular and complex in structure, many aspects of glomerular function are yet to be elucidated. Most studies use glomerular cells in culture, which may exhibit altered physiology compared to native cells.

Antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic activities of the methanolic crude extract of Alstonia scholaris L. are mediated through calcium channel blockade.

This study was aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use of Alstonia scholaris as an antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic by using in vivo and in vitro techniques. In the in vivo study the crude extract of Alstonia scholaris (As.Cr), which tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, provided 31-84% protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice at 100-1000 mg/kg doses, similar to loperamide.

Traditional Chinese medicine research and education in Canada.

Abstract Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world. There has been a growing interest in TCM in Canada in terms of consumers and also among the research community. To cater for this interest, the Canadian Institute of Chinese Medicinal Research (CICMR) was established in 2004.

Science across borders: 5th annual natural health product research conference-march 26-29, 2008, toronto, Canada.

Canada is experiencing a growing interest in the use of alternative therapies and products particularly natural health products (NHP). In 1997, Canadians spent around C$ 2 billion on NHP. In an attempt to catch with this popularity of NHP use, Canadian researchers and administrators from academia, industry and government jointly established the Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada (NHPRS).

Hunting for the right research fellowship: the dos and don'ts.

Every year, thousands and thousands of people from Asia, most of them PhDs, make the ultimate transition in their lives when they travel to the west to take up fellowship positions (in this case a research fellowship position) in leading labs in North America and Europe. Many of these people travel with their families, not knowing what is coming their way. In this article, a number of issues have been discussed that might help these potential scientists of the future to plan ahead for such a shift and make their transition as smooth as possible.

Gastrointestinal, selective airways and urinary bladder relaxant effects of Hyoscyamus niger are mediated through dual blockade of muscarinic receptors and Ca2+ channels.

This study describes the spasmolytic, antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory, bronchodilatory and urinary bladder relaxant properties of Hyoscyamus niger to rationalize some of its medicinal uses. The crude extract of H. niger seeds (Hn.

Antispasmodic, bronchodilator and vasodilator activities of (+)-catechin, a naturally occurring flavonoid.

Catechin is a well-known flavonoid found in many food plants and often utilized by naturopaths for the symptomatic treatment of several gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular diseases. Our aim was to explore the biological basis for the medicinal use of this flavonoid by investigating whether catechin exhibits any pharmacological activity on smooth muscle preparations. We found that catechin dose-dependently relaxes both spontaneous and high K(+) (80 mM)-induced contraction in rabbit jejunum, showing specificity for the latter by causing a right-ward shift in the Ca(2+) dose-response curve.

Studies on cardio-suppressant, vasodilator and tracheal relaxant effects of Sarcococca saligna.

Sarcococca saligna is a shrub that is traditionally used for its medicinal properties in Pakistan. In this study we report the cardio-suppressant, vasodilator and tracheal relaxant activities of the aqueous-methanolic extract (Ss.Cr) of the plant.

Species differences in the prokinetic effects of ginger.

This study describes the prokinetic actions of the aqueous extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale). Ginger extract (Zo.Cr), which tested positive for saponins, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids, showed a spasmogenic effect in isolated guinea-pig ileum with 8-50 times more potency than in rabbit jejunum and ileum and rat stomach fundus and ileum.

Synthesis and smooth muscle-selective relaxant activity of a piperidine analogue: 1-(4'-fluorophenacyl)-4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidinium chloride.

The antispasmodic and vasodilator activities of a newly synthesized piperidine derivative (1-(4'-fluorophenacyl)-4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidinium chloride) were studied in vitro. The test compound exhibited a dose-dependent relaxant effect on the spontaneous and K+ (75 mM)-induced contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum with respective EC50 values of 0.01 mM (0.

Radish seed extract mediates its cardiovascular inhibitory effects via muscarinic receptor activation.

In this study, we describe the hypotensive, cardio-modulatory and endothelium-dependent vasodilator actions of Raphanus sativus (radish) seed crude extract in an attempt to provide scientific basis for its traditional use in hypertension. The plant extract (Rs.Cr) was prepared in distilled water and was subjected to phytochemical screening using standard analytical procedures.

In vivo anthelmintic activity of ginger against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

This paper describes the anthelmintic activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (family Zingiberaceae) rhizome, commonly known as ginger, to justify its traditional use in veterinary medicine. Crude powder (CP) and crude aqueous extract (CAE) of dried ginger (1-3 g/kg) were administered to sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes. Both CP and CAE exhibited a dose- and a time-dependent anthelmintic effect with respective maximum reduction of 25.

In vitro and In vivo anthelmintic activity of Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

The in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves was studied to rationalize its traditional use. Live Haemonchus contortus were used to assess the in vitro anthelmintic effect of a crude aqueous extract (CAE) and a methanol extract (CME) of N.

In vivo anthelmintic activity of Butea monosperma against Trichostrongylid nematodes in sheep.

Seeds of Butea monosperma administered as crude powder (CP) at doses of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg to sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes exhibited a dose and a time-dependent anthelmintic effect. The maximum reduction of 78.4% in eggs per gram of feces (EPG) was recorded on day 10 after treatment with 3 g/kg.

Species differences in the gut stimulatory effects of radish seeds.

This study describes the gastrointestinal (GI) prokinetic effects of the aqueous extract of radish seeds (Rs.Cr). Rs.

Gastrointestinal stimulatory and uterotonic activities of dietary radish leaves extract are mediated through multiple pathways.

Raphanus sativus, commonly known as radish, is a food plant known worldwide for its culinary and medicinal properties especially as a laxative and abortifacient. This study reports the gastrointestinal and uterine tone modulatory activities of the crude extract (Rl.Cr) of radish leaves.