title: Comparative effects of tetrandrine and berbamine on acute and relapsing experimental allergic encephalitis in Lewis rats.
abstract: The effects of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and berbamine on experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE) in Lewis rats was investigated. Amelioration of the acute-phase EAE was only minimal. However, the incidence of relapsing EAE was reduced by 41 and 65% for tetrandrine and berbamine, respectively, at the non-toxic treatment schedule of 60 mg/kg administered on alternate days. These results suggest that bisbenzylisoquinoline compounds may have a potential role in the therapy of progressive multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Queensland, Mater Childrens Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Thong
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; C009438:tetrandrine; C027870:berbamine