ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the effect of sodium 4',7-bihydroxylisoflavone-sulfonate (SBIS) on gastric motility in rats and to analyse its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using intraperitoneal (ip) injection and intracerebroventriular (icv) microinjection of drugs and recording the frequency and amplitude of contraction of gastric motility.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The injection (ip) of different doses of SBIS could decrease the amplitude of gastric motility, but it wasn't a dose-dependent effect. SBIS also had no effect on the frequency of contraction. (2) The ip injection of naloxone reversed the inhibitory effect of SBIS on the amplitude of gastric contraction. (3) The effect of SBIS could be increased by the ip injection of propranolol and be reversed by the ip injection of phentolamine. (4) After the ip injection of atropine, the effect of SBIS on gastric motility had not been changed remarkably. (5) Different doses of SBIS had been microinjected (icy), but only the small dose decreased the amplitude of gastric motility and also the frequency of contraction had not been markedly changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the i.p. and icv injection of SBIS can inhibit the gastric motility. Its effect can be achieved at least not only by endogenous opioid peptide and its receptors, but also adrenergic neuron and its alpha-receptors. Adrenergic neuron and its beta-receptors are also involved in the modulating effect of SBIS.</p>