Guanabenz

Guanabenz is an orally active α-2-adrenoceptor agonist. Guanabenz has antihypertensive effect and antiparasitic activity. Guanabenz interferes ER stress-signalling and has protective effects in cardiac myocytes. Guanabenz also is used for the research of high blood pressure^[1][2][3]. In Vitro: Guanabenz (0.5-50 μM, 24 h) is treated with increasing concentrations for 24 hours not affect cell viability^[1].
Guanabenz (0.5-50 μM, 24 h) alone not affects the UPR targets, neither on mRNA or protein level nor the phosphorylation status of eIF2a. Guanabenz also not induces GADD34 or the constitutively active form CReP^[1].
Guanabenz (0.5-50 μM, 24 h) alone not induces ER stress in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes^[1]. In Vivo: Guanabenz (5 mg/kg/day; i.p.; for 3 weeks) can reproducibly reduce brain cyst burden^[2].
Guanabenz (5 mg /kg/d, i.p., oral; 10 mg/kg/d, gavage; for 3 weeks) reverses Toxoplasma-induced hyperactivity in latently infected mice^[2].
Guanabenz (100 and 320 μg/kg and 1 mg/kg, i.v., over a period of 5 min at intervals of 40 min) reduces sympathetic outflow, heart rate and blood pressure in debuffered cats^[3].