• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.456-461
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• 1996

Vascular relaxation action of crude extracts of two kinds of Coptidis rhizoma (Coptis chinensis and Coptis japonica, Ranunculaceae) was investigated and compared with that of berberine and palmatine, active alkaloid components of these plants. The results show that total extracts, berberine, and palmatine induced a concentration-dependent vasodilatation of rat thoracic aorta contracted with phenylephrine (PE). Palmatine, unlike to berberine, did not inhibit contraction induced by KCI. In calcium-free media, not only berberine but also crude extracts inhibited calcium-induced contraction. Furthermore, pretreatment of crude extracts inhibited contraction induced by PE noncompetitively. In PE-induced contraction, berberine was 2.5 times more potent than Coptis chinensis in the relaxation of rat aorta in terms of $IC_{50}$ values. Analysis of the effects of crude extracts on the Emax and $IC_{50}(PE)IC_{50}(KCI)$ ratios provides information on selectivity and indicates that extracts exhibit greater inhibition of the contrac tile response induced by PE than by KCI. We concluded that crude extracts have .alpha.-adrenoceptor blocking action and possesses inhibitory effect on calcium influx, which may be at least in part responsible for the antihypertensive action.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2020

Transient receptor potential canonical 4 (TRPC4) channel is a nonselective calcium-permeable cation channels. In intestinal smooth muscle cells, TRPC4 currents contribute more than 80% to muscarinic cationic current (mIcat). With its inward-rectifying current-voltage relationship and high calcium permeability, TRPC4 channels permit calcium influx once the channel is opened by muscarinic receptor stimulation. Polyamines are known to inhibit nonselective cation channels that mediate the generation of mIcat. Moreover, it is reported that TRPC4 channels are blocked by the intracellular spermine through electrostatic interaction with glutamate residues (E728, E729). Here, we investigated the correlation between the magnitude of channel inactivation by spermine and the magnitude of channel conductance. We also found additional spermine binding sites in TRPC4. We evaluated channel activity with electrophysiological recordings and revalidated structural significance based on Cryo-EM structure, which was resolved recently. We found that there is no correlation between magnitude of inhibitory action of spermine and magnitude of maximum current of the channel. In intracellular region, TRPC4 attracts spermine at channel periphery by reducing access resistance, and acidic residues contribute to blocking action of intracellular spermine; channel periphery, E649; cytosolic space, D629, D649, and E687.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.119-127
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• 2016

Dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been widely used to treat of several cardiovascular diseases. An excessive shortening of action potential duration (APD) due to the reduction of $Ca^{2+}$ channel current ($I_{Ca}$) might increase the risk of arrhythmia. In this study we investigated the electrophysiological effects of nicardipine (NIC), isradipine (ISR), and amlodipine (AML) on the cardiac APD in rabbit Purkinje fibers, voltage-gated $K^+$ channel currents ($I_{Kr}$, $I_{Ks}$) and voltage-gated $Na^+$ channel current ($I_{Na}$). The concentration-dependent inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents ($I_{Ca}$) was examined in rat cardiomyocytes; these CCBs have similar potency on $I_{Ca}$ channel blocking with $IC_{50}$ (the half-maximum inhibiting concentration) values of 0.142, 0.229, and 0.227 nM on NIC, ISR, and AML, respectively. However, ISR shortened both $APD_{50}$ and $APD_{90}$ already at $1{\mu}M$ whereas NIC and AML shortened $APD_{50}$ but not $APD_{90}$ up to $30{\mu}M$. According to ion channel studies, NIC and AML concentration-dependently inhibited $I_{Kr}$ and $I_{Ks}$ while ISR had only partial inhibitory effects (<50% at $30{\mu}M$). Inhibition of $I_{Na}$ was similarly observed in the three CCBs. Since the $I_{Kr}$ and $I_{Ks}$ mainly contribute to cardiac repolarization, their inhibition by NIC and AML could compensate for the AP shortening effects due to the block of $I_{Ca}$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1993.04a
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• pp.53-53
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• 1993

In considering the mechanism of action of the calcium antagonists, it is important to realize that there are three distinct receptor types and that the new classification divides these three drugs as members of the dihydropyridine, phenylalkylamines and benzothiazipines, respectively. The World Health Organization as well as the International Union of Pharmacology and Cardiology have adopted this classification. Unlike every other class of drugs, such as the alpha and beta adrenergic blocking agents, diuretics, etc., the calcium antagonists need to be thought of as three distinct drug classes. The reason they share some, but not all of the pharmacological profile is that they all act at specific receptor domains present in one large protein of 165 daltons present in all excitable tissue. This protein along with several other subunits make up what is known as the voltage-dependent calcium channel (the so-called "L"type, L-VDCC). The mechanism of action of the three drugs involve first a specfic binding and then an inhibition of the movement of calcium into the cell Some of these drugs, such as diltiazem, may have other interesting intracellular effects perhaps associated with protection of the mitochondria during ischemic insults. The nature of the receptor is being explored by molecular genetic techniques, and we have recently cloned two of the major subunits; some of the data will be presented.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1993

It has been known that calcium antagonists also inhibit the radioligand binding to muscarinic and $\alpha$-adrenergic receptors and, in case of verapamil, these inhibitions may play a role in the effects of verapamil on the heart. In this study, the effects of nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, diltiazem and verapamil on the binding of [$^3H$]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) to dog cardiac ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptors were examined. A single uniform [$^3H$]DHA binding site ($K_D/= 5nM\;and\;B_{max}=2600$ fmol/mg protein) was identified in dog cardiac sarcolemma. [$^3H$]DHA binding was not affected by the usual therapeutic concentrations of these calcium antagonists (nanomolar range) but in the "nonspecific"concentration ranges ($28-180{\mu}m$) these drugs inhibited [$^3H$]DHA binding to $\beta$-adrenergic receptors. Nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine and diltiazem competed for [$^3H$]DHA binding to ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptors with dissociation constants ($K_i$) of $28{\mu}m,\' 74{\mu}m, 39{\mu}m \;and \;35{\mu}m,$ respectively. Verapamil ($K_i=176.5 {\mu}m$) was less potent inhibitor than other drugs and this inhibition was noncompetitive; the maximal binding capacity ($B_{max}$) $300 {\mu}m$ verapamil without change in the apparent dissociation constant (4K_D$) for DHA. These results indicate that the inhibitory action of calcium antagonists at high concentrations on ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptors is not involved in the therapeutic effects of these drugs by the calcium channel blocking action.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 1994

Pharmacological characterization of GS 283, a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative has been elucidated using rat thoracic aorta, guinea pig tenea coli and rabbit mesentery artery in vitro. GS 283 showed calcium antagonistic action in vascular smooth muscle, since high $K^+-induced$ contraction was concentration dependently inhibited. GS 283 also inhibited the contraction induced by ${\alpha}_1$ receptor activation. Vasodilating action of GS 283 was not modified by the propranolol, indicating that GS 283 has no ${\beta}$ receptor stimulatory action. Simultaneous measurement of intracellular calcium change and muscle tension indicated that the inhibitory effect of GS 283 was accompanied by the increase in tissue fluorescence. This increment was not due to fura 2 fluorescence but to endogenous pyridine nucleotide, suggesting that GS 283 has an effect to inhibit mitochondrial function. GS 283 had an inhibitory action on cyclic AMP and GMP-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat brain with Ki values of 2.5 and 6.7 mM. From these findings we concluded that GS 283 has multiple action such as the inhibition of cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterases, blocking of calcium channel as well as inhibition of mitochondrial function which are responsible for vasodilatation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.373-380
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• 1996

Recently we reported that GS 386, 1-(4'-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline, inhibited amplitude of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by reducing the probability of $Ca^{2+}$ channel opening without changing channel kinetics in isolated rabbit atrial myocyte. In the present study, further investigation of the mechanism of action of GS 386 was performed using isolated rat trachealis. GS 386 concentration-dependently relaxed rat trachealis contracted by carbachol $(0.3{\mu}M)$ and high $K^+$(65.4 mM) with $IC_{50}$ 5.24 and 5.67 ${\mu}M$, respectively. Verapamil inhibited more effectively the high $K^+-contracted$ tissues than those with carbachol in the rat trachealis muscle. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ media, $Ca^{2+}-induced$ contraction was inhibited by GS 386. Furthermore, high concentration of GS 386 $(100{\mu}M)$ but not verapamil, attenuated a phasic contraction induced not only by carbachol but also caffeine, indicating that GS386 can enter into the cytoplasm where it may exert secondary actions on internal sites of the muscle, such as sarcoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, GS 386 showed verapamil-resistant component of relaxation and increased cAMP levels in rat trachal smooth muscle. These results suggest that the mechanism of action of GS 386 attributes to not only $Ca^{2+}$ antagonistic action but also weak phosphodiesterase inhibitory action.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.797-801
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• 1997

Recently we reported that water extracts of Coptidis Rhizomas showed calcium antagonistic action and alpha-adrenoceptor inhibitory action in the vascular smooth muscle. Since ca lcium antagonistic properties are important in the treatment of various diseases including asthma. In the present study, the bronchodilatory effects of crude extract of three kinds of Coptidis Rhizoma (Coptidis chinensis, Coptis japonica and root hair of Coptis japonica) was investigated using rat isolated trachea. The result showed that all extracts relaxed carbachol-contracted tracheal smooth muscle. Concentration-dependently, in which the root hair of Coptis japonica was the least potent. The inhibitory potency expressed in terms of $IC_{50}$ against carbachol contraction was 1.8${\mu}$g/ml and 2.7${\mu}$g/ml for Coptidis chinensis and Coptis japonica, respectively. These extracts also inhibited KCI-contracted tracheal smooth muscle. But the relative potency ($IC_{50}$) was 3.5 and 4.1 folds weaker than carbachol-induced contraction for Coptidics chinenesis and Coptis japonica, respectively. Pretreatment of crude extracts also inhibited carbachol- or KCI-induced contraction, non-competitively. These findings indicate that the extracts have muscarinic blocking as well as $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocking action. When provoked intracellular stored $Ca^{2+}$ release by carbachol in $Ca^{2+}$-free conditions, initial phasic contraction due to $Ca^{2+}$ release was significantly inhibited by the extracts. As taken together, we conclude that water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma may be beneficial in bronchospasm or other broncheal tube narrowing conditions such as asthma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2000

The present study was designed to investigate the effect f quinidine on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^{+}$, DMPP, McN-A343, cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to establish the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of quinidine (15-150 $\mu$M) into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced relatively dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32$\times$10$^{-3}$ M), high $K^{+}$ (5.6$\times$10$^{-2}$ M), DMPP (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), McN-A-343 (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min). Furthermore, in adrenal glands pre-loaded with quinine (5$\times$10$^{-5}$ M), CA secretory responses evoked by veratridine (10$^{-4}$ M) was time-dependently inhibited. Also, in the presence of lidocaine (10$^{-4}$ M), which is also known to be a sodium channel blocker, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclo-piazonic acid were also greatly reduced in similar fashion to that of quinidine-treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that quinidine causes greatly the inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating strongly that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings indicate strongly that this inhibitory action of quinidine appears to be associated to the blocking action of sodium channels at least in CA secretion from the rat adrenal gland.and.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 1988

Cyclobuxine D, extracted from Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai, is a steroidal alkaloid. Many pharmacological effects of cyclobuxine D were examined in our Lab. Cyclobuxine D showed a significant bradycardic effect in the rat heart and an inhibitory action on acetylcholine and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction of the longitudinal muscle isolated from the rabbit jejunum. In this study, we investigated the effect of cyclobuxine D on the contractile response-elicited by acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}$ in rat uterine. In order to analyse the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D on the smooth muscle, we examined the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D against the contractile response of the high potassium-depolarized rat ileum to calcium. Concentration-dependent decrease in the peak tension and duration of the acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction in the isolated rat uterus was observed when cyclobuxine D was added to the organ bath. The isolated longitudinal muscle from the rat ileum was immersed calcium-depleted potassium-depolarizing solution. Ten minutes after, 1.8 mM $CaCl_2$ was added to muscle bath and elicited a biphasic increase in muscle tension. Cyclobuxine D $(6.2{\times}10^{-5}\;M)$ produced an appreciable inhibition of both components of the mechanical response. In addition, $3.1{\times}10^{-4}\;M$ cyclobuxine D, introduced at a point when the tonic response had reached its maximum level, caused the muscle to exhibit a rapid lose of tension. Based on these experimental results, we propose the possibility that the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D on the acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction in the isolated rat uterus may be due to blocking potassium-activated calcium channels, voltage-sensitive calcium channels.