Protective effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide-mediated evodiamine on guinea-pig cardiac anaphylaxis

Previous investigations have indicated that the pharmacological effects of evodiamine, a major alkaloidal component of the dried, unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham (Rutaceae), are associated with stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release and CGRP prevents cardiac anaphylactic injury. In the present study, the protective effects of evodiamine on cardiac anaphylaxis were examined. Presensitized guinea-pig hearts challenged with specific antigen (bovine serum albumin) caused a marked decrease in coronary flow, left ventricular pressure and its derivatives (+/-dp/dt(max)), an increase in heart rate, and prolongation of P-R interval. Evodiamine (0.3 muM or 1 muM) markedly increased the content of CGRP in the coronary effluent concomitantly with a significant improvement of cardiac function and alleviation of the extension of P-R interval. Evodiamine at the concentration of 1 muM also inhibited the sinus tachycardia. The protective effect of evodiamine on cardiac anaphylaxis was abolished by CGRP(8-37), the selective CGRP receptor antagonist. These results suggest that evodiamine possesses a protective effect of cardiac anaphylactic injury and that the effect of evodiamine is related to stimulation of CGRP release.