[Effect of water extract of Poria on cytosolic free calcium concentration in brain nerve cells of neonatal rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Poria cocos, a Chinese medicinal herb, on cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in brain nerve cells of neonatal rats.


METHODS
Double-wave-length fluorospectrophotometer and laser confocal scanning microscope were used to measure the [Ca2+]i in neurons.


RESULTS
The water extract of poria (31-250 mg/L) induced a dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i, but poria at the range of 500 mg/L did not cause [Ca2+]i to increase. It was also shown that the water extract of poria significantly inhibited the increment of [Ca2+]i induced by 500 mumol/L glutamate. The similar results were observed from the experiments in primarily cultured hippcampal neurons of neonatial rats by using laser confocal scanning microscope.


CONCLUSIONS
The water extract of Poria cocos has the effect of bidirectional regulation on cytosolic free calcium in brain nerve cells.
Chen
W
W
Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053.
An
W
W
Chu
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D002118:Calcium