• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.4 s.135
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• pp.318-323
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• 2003

Extracts of Black cohosh (Cimicifugae rhizoma) have been used for the treatment of climacteric complaints for decades. A significant number of woman entering menopause exhibit the following symptoms: getting hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, depression, and anxiety, A reduction of the frequency of hot flushes equivalents and hints on the antidepressant activity of Cimcifuga extracts. In the present work, we have screened several 80% ethanol extracts from medicinal plants and found that the extracts from Cimicifugae Rhizoma(Black cohosh:승마) have inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion in bovine chromaffin cell. Since this extract inhibited 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP)-induced catecholamine secretion, but did not inhibit KCl, bradykinin, and veratridine-evoked case, this inhibitory effect is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with noncompetitive manner.