Suppression of voltage-gated Na+ channels and neuronal excitability by imperatorin

King Chuen Wu, Yi Hung Chen, Ka Shun Cheng, Yueh Hsiung Kuo, Chin Tsang Yang, Kar Lok Wong, Yuan Kun Tu, Paul Chan, Yuk Man Leung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Imperatorin is a naturally occurring furocoumarin compound isolated from plants such as Angelica archangelica and Cnidium monnieri. It has multiple pharmacological effects including anticonvulsant effects. Here we determined the effects of imperatorin on voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSC) using whole-cell patch clamp techniques in differentiated neuronal NG108-15 cells. We showed that imperatorin inhibited VGSC; such inhibition did not show state-dependence. Imperatorin caused a left shift in the steady-state inactivation curve without affecting activation gating. The inhibition of VGSC by imperatorin displayed a mild frequency-dependence. Imperatorin was also shown to inhibit VGSC and action potential amplitude without affecting voltage-gated K+ channels in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons. In conclusion, our results suggest that imperatorin dampens neuronal excitability by inhibiting VGSC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-55
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology
Volume721
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 5 2013

Keywords

  • Hippocampal CA1 neurons
  • Imperatorin
  • NG108-15 cells
  • Voltage-gated Na channels

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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