The non-competitive blockade of GABA(A) receptors by an aqueous extract of water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) tubers

摘要

Water hemlocks (Cicuta spp.) are acutely toxic members of the Umbellierae family; the toxicity is due to the presence of C-17-polyacetylenes such as cicutoxin. There is only limited evidence of noncompetitive antagonism by C-17-polyacetylenes at GABA(A) receptors. In this work with WSS-1 cells, we documented the noncompetitive blockade of GABA(A) receptors by an aqueous extract of water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) and modulated the actions of the extract with a pretreatment of 10 mu M midazolam. Published by Elsevier Ltd.