Asperparaline A (1 μM; 1 min) markedly and reversibly blocks the acetylcholine (Ach; 10 µM)-induced current in the silkworm larval neurons.
Asperparaline A (1-1000 nM; 1 min) differentially blocks the peak and slowly desensitizing currents, with IC
50
s of 20.2 and 39.6 nM, respectively.
Asperparaline A (10 μM; 1 min) reduces the peak current amplitude of the ACh (100 µM)-induced response of α3β4 nAChR by 33.4%, while barely influencing the amplitudes of the responses to ACh of the α4β2 and α7 nAChRs in
X. laevis
oocytes.
Asperparaline A (10 μg/g; p.o.) exhibits paralysis against silk worms within 1 h and lasts for 7 to 10 h.
Asperparaline A (3 μg/g; injection with a micro-syringe) exhibits paralysis activity against silk worms within 20 min and lasts for 4 to 5 h.