Bertis A. Westfall

Depressant Agent from Walnut Hulls

Crushed unripe walnut hulls (Juglans nigra), when extracted with ether, yield an extract which sedates or at least depresses the movements of Daphnia magna, leopard frogs, perch, catfish, goldfish, mice, rats, and rabbits. One purified depressant compound, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone), has been isolated and tested on most of these species.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN PENTOBARBITAL SENSITIVITY IN MICE.

Conclusion 1. Male albino mice sleep longer than female mice after identical dosage of pentobarbital sodium. 2. Injection of stilbestrol into male mice 12 days prior to pentobarbital hypnosis, shortened sleeping time significantly. 3. Injection of testosterone into female mice 12 days prior to pentobarbital hypnosis, prolonged sleeping time significantly.

Pharmacological aspects of juglone

Abstract Juglone (5-hydroxy, 1-4 naphthoquinone), isolated from Juglans nigra (Black Walnut) in pure crystalline form has been investigated pharmacologically. These studies indicate that juglone is a depressant agent to unanesthetized fish, mice, rats and rabbits. It dilates the ear vessels of the intact rabbit and coronary arteries of the isolated rabbit heart. In spite of this dilatation juglone has no effect on the blood pressure and heart rate in the dog. It depresses the activity of isolated smooth muscle of rat intestine and uterus.

The mechanism of blood pressure depression by ellagic acid.

Summary The mechanism of the blood pressure fall produced by ellagic acid was evaluated. Pretreatment of rats with diphenhydramine hydrochloride, compound 48/80, or dextran significantly reduced the blood pressure fall caused by ellagic acid. These results suggest that histamine is involved in producing the blood pressure fall following ellagic acid administration. The latency period (20–30 sec) before the blood pressure fall, and the blockade effect of ellagic acid on the effect of a second dose of ellagic acid suggest the release of histamine by this compound. Effects of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and histamine (on blood pressure) administered intravenously were not significantly changed after the rats received ellagic acid.

Sex Difference in the Metabolism of Hexobarbital in the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Summary A sex difference was observed in the metabolism of hexobarbital in the Mongolian gerbil. The hexobarbital hydroxylating activity of the liver microsomal enzymes and the microsomal content of cytochrome P-450 were found to be higher in the female gerbils. This was further supported by the finding that the duration of hexobarbital hypnosis was shorter in the female than in the male gerbils.

Synthesis of glycogen fractions by heart homogenates.

Summary Glycolysis reduces both glycogen fractions of the rat heart at about the same rate for the first 5 minutes, regardless of the medium used for suspension of the tissue. In Krebs Phosphate Ringers solution and in unoxygenated 5.4% glucose, the 2 glycogens drop to a low, but stable level. The glycogen synthesized in the sugar medium is primarily the TCA soluble glycogen. The TCA. soluble glycogen begins synthesis at the end of 22.5 minutes and synthesis of the TCA insoluble fraction begins 50 minutes later. A distinct species difference was observed in the metabolism of cardiac glycogen in the rat and dog, inasmuch as the TCA insoluble fraction was relatively more stable in the dog.

Effect of water deprivation on the metabolism of hexobarbital in the mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

1. 1. The metabolism of hexobarbital in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) was studied and the effect of water deprivation for 96 hours on the metabolism of the barbiturate was investigated. 2. 2. The rate of metabolism of the barbiturate in vitro by the liver microsomal enzymes and the microsomal cytochrome P450 content were found to be higher in water-deprived gerbils than in the control gerbils. 3. 3. The hexobarbital sleeping time was shorter for the water-deprived gerbils than for the control animals, but upon awakening, both groups had the same hexobarbital content of the blood. 4. 4. The data strongly suggest that the observed increase in liver microsomal enzyme activity was most likely caused by the diminished food intake that accompanied water deprivation.

Antagonistic Effect of Ellagic Acid on Histamine Liberators

Summary Ellagic acid blocks the blood pressure fall induced by potent histamine liberators; namely, compound 48/80, dextran, and polymyxin B sulfate. The extent of edema produced by histamine liberators was also reduced by previous administration of ellagic acid. It also decreased the lethal effect of 48/80 in mice.

Effect of Magnesium Ion on Glycogen Fraction Synthesis in Rat Tissues.

Summary Magnesium sulfate injected LP. into rats promotes synthesis of both TCA soluble and TCA insoluble glycogen fractions in the liver after one hour. Heart and skeletal muscle show a significant rise in TCA insoluble glycogen fraction after 4 hours. Skeletal muscle also shows a significant rise in total glycogen after 4 hours. Magnesium appears to be one of the few substances which promote synthesis of the TCA insoluble glycogen fraction.

Disintegration of excised fish gills in low concentrations of sodium chloride.

Summary Excised gills of goldfish cannot maintain a respiratory rate as high in 1 mM sodium chloride as gills in 125 mM sodium chloride at 37 °C even though the intact fish can live indefinitely in these solutions. Studies on the oxygen consumption of gill tissue supplemented with histological observations, indicate that the gill is protected not only by increasing the sodium chloride concentration to 125 millimolar, but by reducing the temperature to 30°C. However, the tissue is not significantly benefitted by the addition of either calcium or rutin to 1 mM sodium chloride.