Abstract
Effects of tuberostemonine (TS), an alkaloid from Stemona japonica, on the motility of parasitic helminths and isolated frog rectus and mouse ileum were studied. 1) TS (6.7 × 10-6 ?? 2 × 10-5M) paralyzed the motility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. 2) TS (6.7 × 10-5M) showed contractive effects on the motility of Dipylidium caninum and Fasciola hepatica. 3) Treatment with TS (6.7 × 10-5 ?? 4.8 × 10-4M) had little effect on the motility of Schistosoma japonicum. 4) TS (6.7 × 10-5M) paralyzed the motility of the mouse isolated ileum preparation. 5) TS (6.7 × 10-7 ?? 6.7 × 10-6M) stimulated the twitch response induced by guanidine (2.5 × 10-3M) in the frog isolated rectus preparation. 6) Eserine and TS acted antagonistically on all preparations with the exception of S. japonicum. 7) TS and strychnine were antagonistic in isolated host tissues, whereas these compounds acted similarly on parasitic helminths. Thus, it is suggested that some of the experiential effects of the crude extracts of Stemona such as the anthelmintic effects are caused through the action of TS on parasitic helminths and host tissues.
