title: Preliminary observations on the pharmacology of petaline chloride, a quaternary alkaloid from Leontice leontopetalum.
abstract: 1. Low concentrations of petaline chloride (1-300 micrograms/ml) caused relaxation of the epinephrine-contracted aorta, contraction of the ileum, and no effect on the trachea. 2. Larger concentrations (up to 3 mg/ml) caused nonsustained large contractions of the aorta and the trachea and increased the amplitude of the phasic contractions of the ileum. 3. The above effects were not inhibited in the presence of atropine. 4. Petaline chloride increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, the contractions of the spontaneously-beating atrium and the isolated perfused heart. 5. The effects of petaline chloride on the atrium and on the perfused heart were not affected by propranolol but were significantly reduced in the presence of quinacrine, suggesting the participation of arachidonic acid metabolism to this effect. 6. In anesthetized rats, petaline chloride (0.3-3 mg/100 g body weight; i.p.) increased both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increased the heart rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Jordan, Amman.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu-Zarga
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabri
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000032:analysis*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011796:Quinacrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D007546:Isoquinolines; C062424:petaline; D011433:Propranolol; D011796:Quinacrine