.BETA.-Eudesmol (a main component of Atractylodes lancea)-induced potentiation of depolarizing neuromuscular blockade in diaphragm muscles of normal and diabetic mice.

Potentiating effects of beta-eudesmol on neuromuscular blockade were investigated in phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscles of normal and alloxan-diabetic mice. Pretreatment with beta-eudesmol potentiated the blocking effects of succinylcholine to a greater extent in diabetic muscles than in normal ones. This effect was saturated after 30-min pretreatment in normal muscles. Further potentiation was observed after 60-min pretreatment in diabetic muscles. These results suggest that beta-eudesmol modifies the sensitivity of diabetic mice to depolarizing blockers so that they have a higher susceptibility to these compounds.