Sensing neuroactive agents in Hawaiian plants

There is a world-wide interest in screening terrestrial and marine plants for components having medicinal properties or prototypes for rational drug design. Hawaiian plants represent a special rich source because many species that grow in Hawaii grow nowhere else. Conventional analytical techniques are of limited utility in this connection because the demonstration of the desired medicinal activity must precede the identification and isolation of the responsible agent. This situation is particularly apparent in the case of neuromodulatory agents whose effect may manifest itself through very diverse modes of action. In this paper, we describe a relatively uncomplicated screening system, derived from biosensor technology, which combines neural tissue as the target material with the electrochemical detection to monitor and quantify neuromodulatory activity. It will be seen that the effects of the neuroactive agents in some Hawaiian plant materials can be demonstrated and evaluated for relative potency.