Pharmacological Study of a New Antibiotic of Bacillary Origin

Abstract

The purified extract of a new bacterial mutant, which exhibits antibiotic activity against paramecia and amoebae, was tested on various smooth muscle preparations. Spontaneous activity as well as the response to a variety of smooth muscle stimulants was diminished or completely suppressed. Intravenous injection of the extract lowered the blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat or dog. These properties may explain the beneficial effect of the extract on the intestinal symptoms of human amoebiasis, before eradication of the parasites.

Properties and biological activity of a new peptide antibiotic (Colisan)

“…Therefore a direct effect on the intestine u-as suspected; indeed an examination of the activity on guinea pig ileum in vitro revealed that Colisan is a potent antagonist of smooth muscle stimulants like acetylcholine, histamine, nicotine, serotonin, and BaC12. 3 Moreover, Colisan itself produces a contraction of the smooth muscle followed by a prolonged rela~ation.~ These effects may, at least partially, account for the clinical improvement of the patients.…”

On the Mechanism of Action of Colisan

“…Tests on guinea-pig ileum were performed as described earlier (Bergmann et al, 1960). pseudopodia and assumed a rounded form.…”

“…For such tests, it is essential to apply only small concentrations of Colisan, which do not produce morphological changes beyond the stage of Fig. 5b, and which-under the conditions of the intestinal test-are insufficient to antagonize the histamine-induced contractions, an effect of Colisan described previously (Bergmann et al, 1960). By selection of the proper dose of Colisan, it was indeed possible to separate the undamaged mast cells, after 15 min incubation, from the medium and to test the supernatant on guinea-pig ileum.…”

“…The cells in this fluid were spun down, washed with saline and used at once for the experiment. Tests on guinea-pig ileum were performed as described earlier (Bergmann et al, 1960 The whole process required 1 to 3 min, depending on the Colisan concentration.…”

A Comparative Study of Staphylococcus Haemolysins and Colisan

“…The method used previously (Bergmann et al, 1960) was again applied. The intestinal loops were incubated with the haemolysin for 7 min before a smooth muscle stimulant was added, as this is the minimum interval to give the maximal antagonistic effect.…”