STUDIES ON CHEMOTHERAPY OF PARASITIC HELMINTHS .4. EFFECTS OF ALKALOIDS FROM SOPHORA-FLAVESCENS ON THE MOTILITY OF PARASITIC HELMINTHS AND ISOLATED HOST TISSUES

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Abstract
Effects of N-methylcytisine (N-MC) and matrine (Mat), alkaloids from S. flavescens on the motility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was affected spastically by N-MC (1.2 .times. 10-4 M), but paralytically by Mat (10-5-10-4 M). The motility of Dipylidium caninum and Fasciola hepatica was affected paralytically by N-MC (1.2 .times. 10-4-1.2 .times. 10-3 M), but spastically by Mat (10-4-10-3 M). Treatment with N-MC (10-3 M) and Mat (8 .times. 10-4 M) had little effect on the motility of Schistosoma japonicum. N-MC (1.2 .times. 10-5-2.4 .times. 10-5 M) and Mat (10-4 M) stimulated the twitch response induced by guanidine (2.5 .times. 10-3 M) in the frog isolated rectus preparation. The motility of the mouse isolated ileum preparation was affected paralytically by N-MC (1.2 .times. 10-5-1.2 .times. 10-4 M), but spastically by Mat (10-4-10-3 M). N-MC and Mat acted antagonistically on between these alkaloids and known neuropharmacological agents, it is suggested that the effects of both alkaloids are elicited through a neuropharmacological mechanism in parasitic helminths and host tissues.