Effects of ω-conotoxin MVIIC, dantrolene, and 7-chloro-5-(2-chloropheny)-1,5-dihydro-4,1-benzothiazepin-2(3H)-one (CGP37157) on the echinacoside-mediated inhibition of 4-aminopyridine-evoked glutamate release. Glutamate release was evoked by 1 mM 4-aminopyridine in the absence (control) or presence of 20 μM echinacoside, 2 μM ω-conotoxin MVIIC, 2 μM ω-conotoxin MVIIC and 20 μM echinacoside, 10 μM dantrolene, 10 μM dantrolene and 20 μM echinacoside, 100 μM CGP37157, or 100 μM CGP37157 and 20 μM echinacoside. Echinacoside was added 10 min before depolarization and, ω-conotoxin MVIIC, dantrolene or CGP37157, 30 min prior to this. Results are mean ± S.E.M. of 5–6 independent synaptosomal preparations. **, p < 0.001 versus control group. #, p < 0.05 versus the dantrolene- or CGP37157-treated group.