title: A novel K+ channel blocker isolated from 'hiccup nut' toxin.
abstract: Combretastatin B1, a polyhydroxybibenzyl compound extracted from the fruit of Combretum kraussii, known to contain 'hiccup nut' toxin, reversibly increased the duration, but not the peak or the rate of rise, of the action potential in rat sensory neurones by approximately 300%. This effect was only seen when it was applied to the extracellular side of the membrane. No effects on the resting potential were observed. K+ delayed rectifier currents were inhibited in neurones and in human myotubes with an IC50 of about 300 microM; the HERG-type inward rectifier channels in tumour cells were inhibited to a greater degree. Due to its selective action and the similarity of its blockade to that produced by class III antiarrhythmic drugs, the toxin could be the origin of compounds of potentially significant pharmacological interest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Durban-Westville, Durban, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guatteo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Faravelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verotta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pelizzoni
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wanke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001632:Bibenzyls / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013267:Stilbenes
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D001632:Bibenzyls; D015221:Potassium Channels; D013267:Stilbenes; C040105:combretastatin