title: Effects of bilobalide on amino acid release and electrophysiology of cortical slices.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of bilobalide, a constituent of Ginkgo biloba, on potassium and veratridine-induced release of glutamate and aspartate from mouse cortical slices. We also studied its effects on spontaneous and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced depolarizations elicited in magnesium-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) as well as its effect on NO-711 (a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake inhibitor)-induced depolarizations. Bilobalide, 100 microM significantly reduced both glutamate and aspartate release elicited by potassium or veratridine. Bilobalide (5-100 microM) also significantly reduced the frequency of NO-711 induced depolarizations, however, it had no effect on spontaneous or on NMDA-induced depolarizations at 5-200 microM. These results suggest that the neuroactive properties of bilobalide may be mediated by a reduction in excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN Wales, UK.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046934:Ginkgolides; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D010091:Oximes / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003517:Cyclopentanes; D004224:Diterpenes; D005663:Furans; D046934:Ginkgolides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D010091:Oximes; C078793:NNC 711; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D014701:Veratridine; D008274:Magnesium; C073710:bilobalide; D011188:Potassium