Mode of action of psoralens, benzofurans...: Abstract

	Karl und Veronica Carstens-Stiftung A Foundation for the Promotion and Support of Complementary Medicine

	Bohuslavizki KH, Hänsel W, Kneip A, Koppenhöfer E, Niemöller E, Sanmann K Mode of action of psoralens, benzofurans, acridinons, and coumarins on the ionic currentsin intact myelinated fibres and its significance in demyelinating diseases. Gen Physiol Biophys. 1994: 13: 309-328.
Abstract	The actions of psoralens, benzofurans, acridinons and coumarins on the ionic currents in intact myelinated nerve fibres were investigated. All 6 substances blocked the potassium currents in a time-dependent manner, producing so-called K⁺-transients. Only 5-methoxypsoralen is a largely selective blocker of predom- inantly the axolemmal potassium channels, which is the characeristic required by our previously proposed working hypothesis for the mechanism of potassium- channel blockers in demyelinating diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis. If the observed K⁺-transients were to arise by blocking of the potassium channels of the Schwann cell, that is, by the periaxonal accumulation of K⁺ and a resulting collapse of the electromotive driving force for potassium ions according to a modified version of our previous hypothesis the other substances tested could also have a beneficial effect on the impaired impulse conduction in demyelinated axons. In this case a large number of new potential drugs would be available for the symptomatic therapy of MS.

Project	Published from project: Investigations into the Effectiveness of Ruta graveolens in Multiple Sclerosis [ Details ]

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