[BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ALKALOIDS FROM RHIZOMES WITH ROOTS OF VINCA HERBACEA WALDST. ET KIT, GROWING IN GEORGIA].

Roots and rhizomes of Vinca herbacea Waldst. et Kit, were collected during early flowering and fruiting. Рhenophases biologically active substances I and II were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction.

[ANTISEIZURE ACTIVITY OF C EPHALARIA GIGANTEA ROOT EXTRACT].

Antiseizure activity of Cephalaria gigantea root extract was studied using PTZ- and/or audiogenic seizure models in outbred Wistar and inbred Krouchinsky- Molodkina rats respectively. In PTZ - model onset of tonic- clonic seizures, latencies to the beginning of the seizure activity, and mortality, and similarly in audiogenic seizures behavioral convulsive reactions , facial automatisms and latency to wild running were evaluated. The extract is used traditionally in Georgian folk medicine as anticonvulsant drug.

Cholinergic stimulation of adrenal medulla is essential for the granulicytopoietic response to lithium.

Granulocytopoietic response to lithium carbonate (Li+) in rat was eliminated completely by N-cholinergic blocking agent, and independently by alpha-1-adrenergic antagonist. A link between these two contradictory events is explained by release of acetylcholine from the cholinergic preganglionic nerve endings in adrenal medulla triggered by Li+, and subsequent discharge of catecholamines (CA) from medullar chromaffin cells, which on their part activate adrenergic receptors of alpha-1 class on hematopoietic progenitor cells. Respectively, granulocytopoietic response to Li+ is blocked by cholinergic N-blocking agent at the level of adrenal medulla, and by the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent at the level of the hematopoietic cells proper.