• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제15권5호
• /
• pp.285-289
• /
• 2011

Shilajit, a medicine herb commonly used in Ayurveda, has been reported to contain at least 85 minerals in ionic form that act on a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) are involved in orofacial nociceptive processing. Shilajit has been reported to be an injury and muscular pain reliever but there have been few functional studies of the effect of Shilajit on the SG neurons of the Vc. Therefore, whole cell and gramicidin-perfotrated patch clamp studies were performed to examine the action mechanism of Shilajit on the SG neurons of Vc from mouse brainstem slices. In the whole cell patch clamp mode, Shilajit induced short-lived and repeatable inward currents under the condition of a high chloride pipette solution on all the SG neurons tested. The Shilajit-induced inward currents were concentration dependent and maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), a voltage gated $Na^+$ channel blocker, CNQX, a non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, and AP5, an NMDA receptor antagonist. The Shilajit-induced responses were partially suppressed by picrotoxin, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, and totally blocked in the presence of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, however not affected by mecamylamine hydrochloride (MCH), a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Under the potassium gluconate pipette solution at holding potential 0 mV, Shilajit induced repeatable outward current. These results show that Shilajit has inhibitory effects on the SG neurons of Vc through chloride ion channels by activation of the glycine receptor and $GABA_A$ receptor, indicating that Shilajit contains sedating ingredients for the central nervous system. These results also suggest that Shilajit may be a potential target for modulating orofacial pain processing.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권11호
• /
• pp.1429-1436
• /
• 2000

Objectives : This study was performed in cultured rat hippocampal neurons to investigate the acute electrophysiological features of ionotropic glutamate receptors which act as a major excitatory neurotransmitter in mammalian brain. Method : Glutamate receptor agonists were applied into the bath solution embedding in whole-cell patch-clamp recording of single hippocampal neuron. Results : In voltage-clamped at -60mV and the presence of 1mmol $Mg^{2+}$, extracellulary applied NMDA did not induce any inward current. Both the elimination of $Mg^{2+}$ and addition of glycine in bath, however, elicited a NMDAinduced inward current. $Mg^{2+}$ block current was increased gradually in more negative potentials from -30mV, showing a negative slope in I-V plot with $Mg^{2+}$. Glutamate-induced current represented an outward rectification. A non-NMDA receptor component occupied about 40% of glutamate-induced current in the voltage range of -80mV to +60mV. Conclusion : Present study suggests that glutamate activates acutely the non-NMDA receptors which induces an inward current in the level of resting membrane potential. This makes the membrane potential increase and can activate the NMDA receptors that permit calcium influx against $Mg^{2+}$ block. At the depolarized state of neuron, there may be recovery mechanisms of membrane potential to repolarize irrespective of voltage-dependent potassium channels in the hippocampal neurons.

• Journal of Oriental Physiology
• /
• 제14권2호통권20호
• /
• pp.55-66
• /
• 1999

The effects of Bogi, Boyang and Onri herbs on glutamate receptor using nystatin perforated patch clamp under voltage clamp were investigated and the following results was obtained. Ginseng radix and Astragali radix were chosen as Bogi herbs. Cervi cornu and Boshniakiae herba were used as Boyang herbs. Aconiti tuber and Zingiberis rhizoma were selected as Onri herbs. 1. $10^{-6}M$ of glycine brought about the increase of the ion currents by Astragali radix. Cervi cornu. Boshniakiae herba and Aconiti tuber to a minute extent that has no experimental meaning. 2. It was assumed that Bogi herb had no effect on glutamate receptor since the ion currents of Ginseng radix and Astragali radix that are Bogi herbs had not been inhibited to a great extent by D-AP5 and CNQX. 3. Boyang herbs were seem to have meaningful relationship with non-NMDA receptor since the ion currents by Cervi cornu and Boshniakiae that are Boyang herbs were inhibited by CNQX but not inhibited to a meaningful extent by D-AP5. 4. D-AP5 had not a significant effect on the ion currents activated by Onri herbs such as Aconiti tuber and Zingiberis rhizoma. CNQX had a significant effect on the ion currents of Aconiti tuber but no effect on the ion currents of Zingiberis rhizoma. Therefore, it seemed that Aconiti tuber had a relationship with non-NMDA receptor while Zingiberis rhizoma had no relationship with glutamate receptor. In summary, Bogi, Boyang and Onri herbs had different effects through different mechanisms on glutamate receptor. Hence it was believed that. through experiments on acetylcholine receptor new classification could be made.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제24권5호
• /
• pp.433-440
• /
• 2020

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is the first relay site for the orofacial nociceptive inputs via the thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C primary afferent fibers. Borneol, one of the valuable time-honored herbal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, is a popular treatment for anxiety, anesthesia, and antinociception. However, to date, little is known as to how borneol acts on the SG neurons of the Vc. To close this gap, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanism responding for the actions of borneol on the SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In the voltage-clamp mode, holding at -60 mV, the borneol-induced non-desensitizing inward currents were not affected by tetrodotoxin, a voltage-gated Na⁺ channel blocker, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist. However, borneol-induced inward currents were partially decreased in the presence of picrotoxin, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A receptor antagonist, or strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, and was almost suppressed in the presence of picrotoxin and strychnine. Though borneol did not show any effect on the glycine-induced inward currents, borneol enhanced GABA-mediated responses. Beside, borneol enhanced the GABA-induced hyperpolarization under the current-clamp mode. Altogether, we suggest that borneol contributes in part toward mediating the inhibitory GABA and glycine transmission on the SG neurons of the Vc and may serve as an herbal therapeutic for orofacial pain ailments.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제7권2호
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2003

The medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons are controlled by excitatory synaptic transmission from the vestibular afferent and commissural projections, and by inhibitory transmission from interneurons. Spontaneous synaptic currents of MVN neurons were studied using whole cell patch clamp recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the $GABA_A$ antagonist bicuculline ($20{\mu}M$), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine ($1{\mu}M$). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were $4.3{\pm}0.9$ Hz, $18.1{\pm}2.0$ pA, and $8.9{\pm}0.4$ ms, respectively. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were mediated by non-NMDA and NMDA receptors. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 ($50{\mu}M$) completely blocked the non-NMDA mediated sEPSCs, indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency ($1.5{\pm}0.4$ Hz), small amplitude ($13.9{\pm}1.9$ pA), and rapid decay kinetics ($2.8{\pm}0.2$ ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors. Only 35% of recorded MVN neurons showed NMDA mediated currents, which were characterized by small amplitude and low frequency. These results suggest that the MVN neurons receive excitatory inputs mediated by AMPA, but not kainate, and NMDA receptors, and inhibitory transmission mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors in neonatal rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제5권2호
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2001

To investigate propofol's effects on ionic currents induced by ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA) and glycine as well as on those produced by the nicotinic acetylcholine- and glutamate-responsive channels, rat dorsal raphe neurons were acutely dissociated and the nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique under voltage-clamp conditions was used to observe their responses to the administration of propofol. Propofol evoked ion currents in a dose-dependent manner, and propofol $(10^{-4}\;M)$ was used to elicit ion currents through the activation of $GABA_A,$ glycine, nicotinic acetylcholine and glutamate receptors. Propofol at a clinically relevant concentration $(10^{-5}\;M)$ potentiated $GABA_A-,$ glycine- and NMDA receptor-mediated currents. The potentiating action of propofol on $GABA_A-,$ glycine- and NMDA receptor-mediated responses involved neither opioid receptors nor G-proteins. Apparently, propofol modulates inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter-activated ion channels either by acting directly on the receptors or by potentiating the effects of the neurotransmitters, and this modulation appears to be responsible for the majority of the anaesthetic and/or adverse effects.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.217-221
• /
• 2008

Bicuculline is one of the most commonly used $GABA_A$ receptor antagonists in electrophysiological research. Because of its poor water solubility, bicuculline quaternary ammonium salts such as bicuculline methiodide (BMI) and bicuculline methbromide are preferred. However, a number of studies have shown that BMI has non-$GABA_A$ receptor-mediated effects. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is implicated in the processing of nociceptive signaling. In this study, we investigated whether BMI has non-GABA receptor-mediated activity in Vc SG neurons using a whole cell patch clamp technique. SG neurons were depolarized by application of BMI ($20{\mu}M$) using a high $Cl^-$ pipette solution. GABA ($30-100{\mu}M$) also induced membrane depolarization of SG neuron. Although BMI is known to be a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, GABA-induced membrane depolarization was enhanced by co-application with BMI. However, free base bicuculline (fBIC) and picrotoxin (PTX), a $GABA_A$ and $GABA_C$ receptor antagonist, blocked the GABA-induced response. Furthermore, BMI-induced membrane depolarization persisted in the presence of PTX or an antagonist cocktail consisting of tetrodotoxin ($Na^+$ channel blocker), AP-5 (NMDA receptor antagonist), CNQX (non-NMDA receptor antagonist), and strychnine (glycine receptor antagonist). Thus BMI induces membrane depolarization by directly acting on postsynaptic Vc SG neurons in a manner which is independent of $GABA_A$ receptors. These results suggest that other unknown mechanisms may be involved in BMI-induced membrane depolarization.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.268-273
• /
• 2001

In addition to the recognition site for glutamate, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-preferring glutamate receptor subtype shows a binding site for glycine. In this paper, we present the effects of 3-(4,6-dichloro-2-carboxymethylamino-5,7-dichloroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (MDL 29951), a potent inhibitor of glycine binding to the NMDA receptor, on glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) from bovine brains. The incubation of GDH isoproteins from bovine brains with MDL 29951 resulted in a dose-dependent loss of enzyme activity Separately or together, 2-oxoglutarate and NADH did not give an efficient protection against the inhibition, indicating that GDH isoproteins saturated with NADH or 2-oxoglutarate are still open to attack by MDL 29951. MDL 29951 was an uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to both 2-oxoglutarate and NADH for GDH isoproteins. These results suggest that the binding site of MDL 29951 is not directly located at the catalytic site, and the inhibition of GDH isoproteins by MDL 29951 is probably due to a steric hindrance, or a conformational change altered upon the interaction of the enzyme with its inhibitor. The inhibitory effects of MDL 29951 on GDH isoproteins were significantly diminished in the presence of ADP. GDH I reacted more sensitively with ADP than GDH II on the inhibition by MDL 29951. Our results suggest a possibility that the two types of GDHs are differently regulated by MDL 29951, depending on the physiological concentrations of ADP.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.5-17
• /
• 2000

To research the characteristics of ion currents induced by Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang, nystatin-perforated patch clamp technique under voltage-c(amp condition was used. Periaqueductal gray neuron was dissociated from Sprauge-Dawley rat, 10-15 days old. Cytotoxicity of Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang showed incubation time and concentration dependent manner. Ion current activated by Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang were inhibited by bicuculline and strychnine and CNQX. It can be suggested that Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang modulate inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters-, GABA, glycine and non-NMDA, acticvated ion channels. Modulatory effect of Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang was more greater in inhibitory neurotransmitters. Low concentration of Bujaijung-tang which dose not elicit ion current itself, activated GABA and glycine induced chloride currents. In this study, we can found that the activation of Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang on non-NMDA subtypes of glutamate receptor is its major action mechanism and can be used as very effective Herb treatment on Myasthenia gravis patient.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 한국응용약물학회 1998년도 Proceedings of UNESCO-internetwork Cooperative Regional Seminar and Workshop on Bioassay Guided Isolation of Bioactive Substances from Natural Products and Microbial Products
• /
• pp.143-143
• /
• 1998

Antagonists acting at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor have been gaining safer alternatives for stroke therapy because they have few adverse effect competitive and noncompetitive NMDA antagonists. Therefore, the neuroprotect novel glycine site antagonist KC0244 were evaluated in a rat model of transient comparison with GV150526A in a developmental phase. Middle cerebral artery oc was produced by insertion of a silicone-coated 4-0 nylon monofilament to the o in male Sprague-Dawley rats under isoflurane anesthesia. After 90 or 120 min retracted and the ischemic tissue reperfused. In 90-min MCAO model, GV150526A was administered 30 min before MCAO or immediately after MCAO. In 120-min MC KC0244 or GV150526A (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 1 hr before MCAO or imme MCAO. Infarct volume was measured 24 hr after MCAO using the 2,3,5-triphe chloride staining method. In 90-min MCAO model, treatments with GV1505 significantly reduce infarct volume although they tended to slightly reduce cor approximately 19% compared with the nontreated group. In 120-min MCAO model with GV150526A did not either significantly reduce infarct volume although the reduce total infarct volume by approximately 16% compared with the vehicle-tre However, 1-hr preischemic and immediate treatments with KC0244 reduced total i 39 and 30% (corrected total infarct volume by 44 and 32%), respectively, co vehicle-treated control group. The results suggest that KC0244 can provid against transient focal ischemic damage with greater in vivo potency than GV150