Effects of tabernanthine on calcium and catecholamine stimulated contractions of isolated vascular and cardiac muscle.

The Iboga alkaloid tabernanthine (80 microM) non-competitively antagonized contractions in both the rat aorta and mesenteric artery induced by cumulative additions of noradrenaline and calcium. Tabernanthine (8, 40 and 80 microM) antagonized the K+ depolarization-induced contractions of the aorta. Tabernanthine (80 microM) depressed the phasic component of contractions induced by a single maximal concentration (10 microM) of noradrenaline in Ca++ -free solution. Tabernanthine induced a negative inotropic effect in electrically stimulated myocardial tissue and a negative chronotropic effect in the perfused rat heart. Tabernanthine is a calcium entry blocker which also affects cellular calcium metabolism.