In hibernating snails Helix lucorum, the effect of 5-HT on neurons of an identified group is mainly hyperpolarization associated with a conzation conductance increase, while, inactive snails, the effect is de polarization decrease of the membrane conductance.

Neural serotonin receptors in active and hibernating helicid snails (Helix lucorum).

Cow urine concoction (CUC) is a local herbal preparation administered to children having convulsion in southern part of Nigeria. We investigated the effect of full preparation (FP) and modified preparation (MP) [without tobacco] of CUC and nicotine on the nerve-muscle preparation in common African toad, Bufo regularis. The result showed that nicotine significantly potentiated the contraction of skeletal muscle at lower doses, and at a higher dose the sensitivity of neuro-muscular junction was significantly reduced (desensitization). At lower doses of FP of CUC, the contraction of skeletal muscle was slightly increased than the nicotine but was not significant but the response was very similar to that obtained at higher doses. The finding indicates that nicotine and FP of CUC have something in common in stimulating muscle contraction. MP of CUC did not show any significant response at graded doses. It was concluded from the results that the therapeutic effect of this concoction might be due in part to the presence of tobacco or similar constituent in the cow urine concoction. The effect of „FP” of CUC in this study can be employed clinically in some disorders of the nerve-skeletal muscle system, like muscular weakness and hyper-excitability of the nerve-skeletal system, seen in children convulsion.

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Effects of cow urine concoction and nicotine on the nerve-muscle preparation in common African toad Bufo regularis

A simple and modified dorsal approach method has been made in the toad's (Bufo melanostictus) sciatic gastrocnemius nerve-muscle preparation. This method incurs less blood loss, time consumption, nerve damage and visceral spoil compared to conventional ventral approach method.

S R Dasgupta

Papers

A simple approach to the toad's ( Bufo melanostictus ) nerver muscle preparation