The marine natural product 3,5-dibromo-2-(2,4-dibromo-phenoxy)phenol, inhibits contractile activity in the guinea-pig ileum

SUMMARY 1. The tetrabrominated diphenyl ether 3,5-dibromo-2-(2,4-dibromophenoxy)phenol (BPE), a natural marine product isolated from a sponge, was tested for pharmacological activity in guinea-pig ileum. 2. BPE (2 μmol/ L) decreased basal force and the frequency of spontaneous contractions of the ileum. It also significantly decreased contractions of the ileum induced by 5 mmol/L barium and to electrical stimulation at parameters which stimulated intrinsic nerves. 3. The slopes of concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (ACh), histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were significantly reduced by BPE at concentrations of 2 μmol/L or greater. 4. BPE (2 μmol/L) did not affect calcium-induced contractions of longitudinal muscle fibres from guinea-pig ileum which were stripped of their cellular membrane. It (6 μmol/L) also had no effect on ATP levels in longitudinal muscle fibres. 5. BPE (2 μmol/L) reduced both phasic and tonic components of contractions induced by raising the extracellular concentration of K+ to 15, 30, 45 or 60 mmol/ L (in the presence of atropine, propranolol, phentolamine and desensitization to 5-HT to inhibit the effects of nerve transmitter release). 6. BPE (2 μmol/L) reduced carbachol-induced contractions of ileum pre-incubated in 1 μmol/L felodipine, a blocker of l-type voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCC). 7. BPE dose dependently (0.6–6 μmol/L) reduced contractions induced by Ca2+ in both K+ depolarized ileum and in tissue exposed to carbachol (10 μmol/L) in the presence of felodipine (0.1 μmol/L). 8. These results suggest that BPE affects intracellular messenger systems controlling cytosolic calcium and/or blocks entry of calcium into the cell through both VOCC and receptor-operated channels (ROC).