Diabetes mellitus alters electrophysiological properties in neurons of superior cervical ganglion of rats.

Diabetic neuropathy is the most prevalent complication associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is an important sympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system. We investigated the changes in cellular electrophysiological properties and on NaK-ATPase activity of SCG neurons of rats with DM induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

Monoterpenoid terpinen-4-ol inhibits voltage-dependent Na channels of small dorsal root ganglia rat neurons.

The monoterpenoid terpinen-4-ol (4TERP) is known to inhibit cell excitability, has low toxicity and important pharmacological activities, which are likely related to neural excitability, such as anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic and antinociceptive effects. However, the pharmacological characteristics and mechanisms underlying the effects of 4TERP on blockade of neural action potential are not completely elucidated. Since Na current (I) through voltage-dependent Na channels (Na) is a major mechanism for excitability, the present study investigated the pharmacological characteristics and mechanisms of the action of 4TERP on I through Na.

The leguminous lectin of Lonchocarpus araripensis promotes antinociception via mechanisms that include neuronal inhibition of Na(+) currents.

Objective And Design: Sodium channels are highly expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons during hypernociceptive conditions. Based on the presence of a glycosidic portion in the sodium channel β subunit associated to the antinociceptive effect of leguminous lectins via lectin domain, this study investigated the antinociceptive activity of the lectin isolated from Lonchocarpus araripensis seeds (LAL) in mice behavioral models and in NaV current in the nociceptor of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG).

Material/methods: LAL antinociceptive activity and the participation of opioid system, lectin domain and sodium channels were evaluated in Swiss mice models of nociception (formalin, capsaicin, hot plate, tail flick, von Frey) and in primary cultures of Wistar rats neurons of DRG (patch clamp).

Inhibitory effect of terpinen-4-ol on voltage-dependent potassium currents in rat small sensory neurons.

The biological and pharmacological activities of the terpenoid terpinen-4-ol (1), which include depressant effects in the central nervous system, are of potential therapeutic interest. In the present study, the effects of 1 on neuronal excitability and voltage-dependent K(+) currents in the somatic sensory system were investigated. Intact and dissociated neurons of rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were used for intracellular and patch-clamp recordings, respectively.

Linalool blocks excitability in peripheral nerves and voltage-dependent Na+ current in dissociated dorsal root ganglia neurons.

Linalool is a terpene that occurs as a major constituent of essential oils of many plants of widespread distribution. It possesses several biological and pharmacological activities, including depressant effects on the central nervous system and olfactory receptors. The present study investigated whether linalool affects the excitability of peripheral components of the somatic sensory system.

Effects of 1,8-cineole on electrophysiological parameters of neurons of the rat superior cervical ganglion.

1. 1,8-Cineole is a non-toxic small terpenoid oxide believed to have medicinal properties in folk medicine. It has been shown to have various pharmacological effects, including blockade of the compound action potential (AP).