Bronchodilator Effect of Higenamine in Isolated Guinea-pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle

Higenamine의 Guinea pig 기관 평활근 이완작용

Higenamine, a benzyltetrahydroisopuinoline analog isolated from aconite tuber, has potent isotropic action. Recent studies suggest it may have beta receptor agonistic property in that its inotropic action is blocked by propranolol in isolated rabbit heart. However, no study has been carried out on other organs than heart. Higenamine is expected to have pharmacological actions on smooth muscle on the ground that it has catecholamine moiety and tetrahydrosioquinoline nucleus in its chemical structure, both of which are well known to have smooth muscle relaxation effects. Therefore present study was aimed at determining whether higenamine has bronchodilating effect in isolated guinea pig trachea smooth muscle rich in adrenergic beta receptor and if any, it has agonistic effect on beta receptor. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Higenamine had remarkable bronchodilating effect in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner. 2. Bronchodilator effect of higenamine in isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle was blocked competitively by propranolol. The $pD_2$ value of higenamine in isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle was 5.65 and the $pA_2$ value of propranolol against higenamine in the same preparation was 7.97.