Cell protection mechanism of antishock action of anisodamine.

Anisodamine was used as an antishock (chiefly septic) drug beginning in the early 1960s in China. Its underlining mechanism was believed to be due to its vasodilative action. But in normal animals it only produces slight vasodilation. Our work during the recent 15 years proved that anisodamine is not only beneficial in the treatment for septic shock, but also for hemorrhagic, traumatic, and SMAO shock, and its mechanism of action are based on its following biological actions: (1) it has membrane stabilization and cell protection action, which was probably related to its calcium antagonist action; (2) it protects ischemia intestine from releasing shock factors; and (3) its inhibition of endotoxin binding to cells and tissue at the membrane level probably makes it an special antishock drug for septic shock.