title: Effects of alpha-asarone on the glutamate transporter EAAC1 in Xenopus oocytes.
abstract: The major excitatory neurotransmitter transporter EAAC1 in the mammalian central nervous system is considered a possible target for Chinese herbal medicine. Extracts of Acorus tatarinowii (Schott) were tested for their effects on EAAC1 activity. XENOPUS oocytes with heterologously expressed EAAC1 were used as the model system. Rate of glutamate uptake was determined by means of the isotopic tracer technique. Glutamate-induced current was recorded under a two-electrode voltage clamp. As a highly effective component, alpha-asarone was identified. The rate of glutamate uptake was stimulated by 200 microM of alpha-asarone by about 15 %. In contrast, the same concentration reduced the EAAC1-mediated current by about 35 % at a holding potential of - 60 mV; half maximum inhibition was obtained at about 60 microM. Our experimental data suggest that both stimulation of glutamate uptake and inhibition of EAAC1-mediated current by alpha-asarone could contribute to reduced excitatory activity.
authors: Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridians, Shanghai, China.
authors: Quanbao
authors: Q
authors: Gu
authors: Huiming
authors: H
authors: Du
authors: Chunhui
authors: C
authors: Ma
authors: Heike
authors: H
authors: Fotis
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Wu
authors: Chenggang
authors: C
authors: Huang
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Schwarz
mesh_terms: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000818:Animals; D000840:Anisoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D050580:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D009865:Oocytes; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000840:Anisoles; D050580:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3; C012195:asarone