Effect of Chinese Medicine „Saiko–Keishi–To” on the Abnormal Bursting Activity of Snail Neurons

Abstract

The Chinese medicine „Saiko–Keishi–To” (SK) which is a mixture of nine crude drugs has been used as an anti–epileptic and tranquillizing drug and has sometimes a remarkable sedative effect.

We examined the effect of this SK as well as its nine crude drug components from the viewpoint of experimental neuropharmacology.

A 2 % extract solution of SK as well as Bupleuri Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex, Paeoniae Radix and Zingiberis Rhizoma had a complete inhibitory effect on pentylenetetrazole induced bursting activity in a identifiable snail neuron which closely resembles the intracellular potential change of neurons in the cerebral cortex of cats during seizure discharge induced by pentylenetetrazole.

Key Word Index

Bupleuri Radix - Paeoniae Radix - Cinnamomi Cortex - Zingiberis Rhizoma - Snail Neuron - Bursting Activity