Neurogenic component in the effect of papaverine, drotaverine and bencyclane

Papaverine, drotaverine and bencyclane, drugs considered to have direct action on the smooth muscle, inhibited synaptic transmission in the isolated a sympathetic ganglion of the frog. Their effect depended upon the concentration applied. The ganglionic blocking effect of papaverine and drotaverine in the concentration range from 10(-8) to 10(-6) mol/l was partially antagonized by naloxone and nalorphine as well as by increasing the Ca2+ concentration in the incubation medium. This refers to an activation of specific opiate receptors in the mechanism of ganglionic action of these drugs. The ganglionic effect of bencyclane may be due to its local anaesthetic property, since it was prevented by neither naloxone nor nalorphine, and an increase in the Ca2+ concentration in the medium had no influence on it.