RESUMO
Bisnordihydrotoxiferine, a dimeric tertiary indole alkaloid obtained from the root bark of Strychnos trinervis (Vell.) Mart. (Loganiaceae), inhibited normal defaecation and castor oil, arachidonic acid, and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea on intraperitoneal administration in mice. The effect may be related to the ability of the compound to decrease normal and castor oil-stimulated gastric emptying, small intestinal transit and water and electrolyte accumulation, and inhibition of normal colonic transit. As prostaglandins are involved in gastrointestinal functions, inhibition of their synthesis is likely to contribute to the anticathartic activity, which has never been reported before for an indole alkaloid.
Assuntos
Antidiarreicos/farmacologia , Diarreia/tratamento farmacológico , Toxiferina/análogos & derivados , Animais , Antidiarreicos/isolamento & purificação , Defecação/efeitos dos fármacos , Diarreia/fisiopatologia , Esvaziamento Gástrico/efeitos dos fármacos , Trânsito Gastrointestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Dose Letal Mediana , Masculino , Camundongos , Potássio/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos , Sódio/metabolismo , Toxiferina/isolamento & purificação , Toxiferina/farmacologia , Equilíbrio Hidroeletrolítico/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Bisnordihydrotoxiferine has been isolated as the major alkaloid from the root bark of Strychnos trinervis. This compound shows a wide antimicrobial spectrum against gram-positive, gram-negative and acid-fast microorganisms, filamentous and yeast-like fungi and also phytopathogenic microorganisms. Preliminary studies also reveal some cytotoxic activity in KB cells which was confirmed by tests against sarcoma 180 tumors.