Vasorelaxing effect in rat thoracic aorta caused by laurotetanine isolated from Litsea cubeba Persoon

Abstract— The pharmacological effects of laurotetanine on rat isolated thoracic aorta were examined. The contraction of aortic rings caused by high potassium (60 Mm ) and cumulative concentrations of calcium (0?03–3 Mm ) was inhibited by 3–50 μm laurotetanine in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 19·8 ± 3·6 μm (n = 6) in a 1 Mm Ca²⁺ medium. The phenylephrine (3 μm )-induced contraction was also inhibited by laurotetanine. Its effect was more marked on the tonic contraction than on the phasic contraction and was not easily washed-out. On addition of laurotetanine during the tonic contraction, relaxation could also be observed. This relaxing effect was not antagonized by indomethacin (20 μm ) and was still seen in denuded aorta or in the presence of nifedipine (1 μm ). The caffeine (20 Mm )-induced contraction was not affected by laurotetanine. cAMP and cGMP levels of aorta were not changed by laurotetanine. It is concluded that laurotetanine relaxed the rat thoracic aorta mainly by suppressing the Ca²⁺ influx through both voltage- and receptor-operated calcium channels.     

Vasorelaxing effect in rat thoracic aorta caused by fraxinellone and dictamine isolated from the Chinese herb Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz: comparison with cromakalim and Ca2+ channel blockers

Summary The components of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz were tested for their vasorelaxing effect on the rat aorta, and fraxinellone and dictamine were shown to be effective vasorelaxants. In high K⁺ (60 mmol/l) medium, Ca²⁺ (0.03 to 3 mmol/l)-induced vasoconstriction was inhibited concentration-dependently by both agents. The IC₅₀ for fraxinellone and dictamine were calculated to be about 25 mol/l and 15 mol/l (for Ca²⁺) concentration of (1 mmol/l), respectively. Cromakalim (0.2–10) mol/l relaxed aortic rings precontracted with 15 but not 60 mmol/l of K⁺. Fraxinellone and verapamil were more potent and effective in producing relaxation in 60 mmol/l than in 15 mmol/l K⁺-induced contraction. However, dictamine was more potent in producing relaxation in 5 mmol/l K⁺-induced contraction. Nifedipine (1 mol/l), dictamine (100 mol/l) and fraxinellone (100 mol/l) relaxed the aortic contraction caused by KCl or Bay K 8644. The tonic contraction elicited by nor adrenaline (NA, 3 mol/l) was also relaxed by dictamine (500 mol/l), but not by fraxinellone (500 mol/l) in the nifedipine (1 mol/l)-treated aorta. This relaxing effect of dictamine persisted in endothelium-denuded aorta. Glibenclamide (10 mol/l) shifted the concentration-relaxation curve of cromakalim, but not that of dictamine, to the right in rat aortic rings precontracted with NA. Dictamine (500 mol/l) did not affect tonic contraction of NA which are reduced by H-7 (1 mol/l) in Ca²⁺ depleted medium. In conclusion, fraxinellone is a selective blocker of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel, while dictamine relaxed the rat aorta by suppressing the Ca²⁺ influx through both voltage-dependent and receptor-operated Ca²⁺ channels.This work was supported by a research grant from the Nationat Science Council of the Republic of China (NSC80-0420-B002-18) Send offprint requests to C. M. Teng, Pharmacological Institute, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Jen-Ai Road, Sect. 1, Taipei, 10018, Taiwan     

Vasorelaxation of rat thoracic aorta caused by norathyriol isolated from Gentianaceae.

The pharmacological effects of norathyriol on isolated rat thoracic aorta were examined. In the high-K+ (60 mM) medium, Ca2+ (0.03 to 3 mM)-induced vasocontraction was inhibited concentration dependently by norathyriol. Given as pretreatment norathyriol (20 to 200 microM) also inhibited the norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM)-induced tonic contraction. However, the phasic contraction was inhibited only by high concentrations of norathyriol (200 and 400 microM). The tonic contraction elicited by NE was also relaxed by the addition of norathyriol. This relaxing effect of norathyriol was not antagonized by methylene blue (50 microM) or indomethacin (20 microM) and was still seen in denuded rat aorta. Although the cAMP level was not changed by norathyriol, the cGMP level was increased by a high concentration of norathyriol (400 microM). [3H]Inositol monophosphate formation caused by NE was not affected by norathyriol at concentration of either 100 or 400 microM. The 45Ca2+ influx caused by either NE or high K+ was inhibited by norathyriol in a concentration-dependent manner. It is concluded that norathyriol relaxed the rat thoracic aorta mainly by suppressing the Ca2+ influx through both voltage-dependent and receptor-operated calcium channels.     

Vasorelaxation of rat thoracic aorta caused by osthole isolated from Angelica pubescens.

The pharmacological effects of osthole on isolated rat thoracic aorta were examined. Osthole inhibited norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM)-induced phasic and tonic contractions in rat thoracic aorta in a concentration-dependent manner (40-200 microM). The tonic contraction elicited by NE was also relaxed by the addition of osthole. This relaxing effect of osthole was not affected by indomethacin (20 microM) and was still observed in endothelium-denuded rat aorta. Methylene blue (50 microM) partially antagonized this relaxing effect of osthole. In high-K+ medium (80 mM), the Ca2+ (0.03-3 mM)-induced vasocontraction was inhibited concentration dependently by osthole (20-100 microM). Addition of osthole (100 microM) at the plateau of the K+ (80 mM)-induced contraction caused relaxation. Methylene blue (50 microM) did not antagonize this relaxation. In Ca(2+)-free medium, the caffeine (10 mM)-induced phasic contraction was also suppressed by osthole in a concentration-dependent manner. Although the cAMP level was not changed by osthole, the cGMP level of rat aorta was increased by osthole in a concentration-dependent manner. The increase in cGMP level caused by osthole was completely blocked by methylene blue. [3H]Inositol monophosphate formation caused by NE was not affected by osthole at a concentration of 200 microM. The 45Ca2+ influx elicited by either NE or high K+ was inhibited by osthole in a concentration-dependent manner. It is concluded that osthole relaxes rat thoracic aorta by virtue of its Ca(2+)-channel blocking properties and by elevating cGMP levels in vascular smooth muscle.     

降压中药有效成分组合对大鼠胸主动脉的舒张作用

目的研究杜仲、钩藤、葛根、决明子4种中药有效成分的单组分及其组合物对大鼠胸主动脉的舒张作用,筛选出最佳组合。方法从杜仲皮中提取降血压有效成分松脂醇二葡糖苷(PDG),钩藤中提取钩藤碱,葛根中提取葛根素,决明子中提取决明子蒽醌,以大鼠胸主动脉环为标本,观察单组分及组合物对去甲肾上腺素(NE)预收缩的血管舒张作用。结果 PDG、钩藤碱、葛根素和决明子蒽醌为2∶4∶4∶1时对NE预收缩的大鼠胸主动脉环舒张作用较明显,组合比例为1∶2∶2∶1在高质量浓度时血管舒张率为91.46%,强于阳性对照药维拉帕米。结论单组分及组合物对NE预收缩的大鼠胸主动脉均具有舒张作用,组合物舒血管作用强于单组分。     

Effects of thapsigargin in isolated rat thoracic aorta

The effect of thapsigargin (Tg) was studied in rat thoracic aorta. Tg (10(-8)-10(-5) M) had a dual effect on rat aorta. Thus, Tg induced a concentration dependent increase in basal tone in normal physiological salt solution (PSS), while Tg in potassium (K+) precontracted aortic rings caused a concentration related relaxation and shifted the K+-concentration response curve to the right and depressed the maximal response to K+. Removal of vascular endothelium abolished the relaxant response to Tg and increased the sensitivity of the preparations to the contractile effect of Tg. The contractile response to Tg was resistent to wash-out in drug-free PSS and was not affected by phentolamine, indomethacin or mepyramine but partly reduced by the calcium-antagonist nitrendipine and eliminated by wash-out in calcium-free PSS. Atropine eliminated the endothelium dependent relaxant effect of carbachol, but had no effect on the Tg or on the calcium ionophore A 23187 evoked relaxation. Ultraviolet radiation decreased the relaxant effect of Tg and A 23187 without affecting the carbachol induced relaxations. The results showed that vascular endothelium depressed the contractile effect of Tg and that Tg like A 23187 had an endothelium dependent relaxant effect on rat aorta different from that of carbachol. The results indicate that Tg in vascular smooth muscle acts by stimulating the transmembranal influx of extracellular calcium.     

银杏内酯B对离体大鼠胸主动脉收缩活动的影响

目的:研究银杏内酯B对大鼠离体胸主动脉血管环收缩活动的影响.方法:采用离体血管灌流的方法,观察银杏内酯B对不同浓度氯化钾、去甲肾上腺素引起的大鼠胸主动脉收缩反应的影响,以收缩率为指标.结果:银杏内酯B高浓度(0.1 g·L-1)和中浓度(0.03 g·L-1)对KCl(60 mmol·L-1)引起的胸主动脉收缩具有拮抗作用(P<0.05,P<0.01),并能使20 mmol·L-1～60 mmol·L-1氯化钾对胸主动脉的收缩作用减弱或明显减弱(P<0.05,P<0.01);银杏内酯B高浓度(0.1 g·L-1)和中浓度(0.03 g·L-1)对去甲肾上腺素(10-5 mol·L-1)引起的大鼠胸主动脉收缩具有拮抗作用(P<0.05,P<0.01),并能使0.1～10 μmol·L-1 NE对胸主动脉的收缩作用减弱或明显减弱(P<0.05,P<0.01).结论:银杏内酯B对氯化钾、去甲肾上腺素引起的大鼠离体胸主动脉血管环收缩活动有明显拮抗作用.     

Vasorelaxant effect of euxanthone in the rat thoracic aorta

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of euxanthone on isolated rat thoracic aorta. Euxanthone concentration-dependently relaxed high K+-induced sustained contractions with IC50 values of 32.28+/-1.73 microM and this inhibition was antagonized by increasing the Ca2+ concentration in the medium. These results indicated that euxanthone may have calcium antagonistic property. Euxanthone also relaxed norepinephrine (NE)-induced sustained contractions with IC50 values of 32.50+/-2.15 microM and this relaxant effect was unaffected by the removal of endothelium or by the presence of propranolol, indomethacin, glibenclamide or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine. Moreover, euxanthone inhibited both the phasic and tonic contractions induced by NE in a concentration-dependent manner and showed more potent inhibition on phasic contraction (P < 0.01). Pre-treatment with euxanthone inhibited vascular contraction induced by phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a protein kinase C (PKC) agonist, in either the presence or absence of Ca2+ in the solution with IC50 values of 20.15+/-1.56 and 18.30+/-1.62 microM, respectively. However, when the tissues were treated with euxanthone after the PDBu-induced contraction had reached a steady state, the tension was not affected by euxanthone. This study also showed that the inhibitory effect of pre-treatment of euxanthone was more potent than the post-treatment after the tension had reached a steady state. These results suggested that the vasorelaxation of euxanthone may be through multiple pathways involved PKC-mediated signal pathway and calcium-independent pathway besides the direct inhibition of calcium influx and its vasorelaxant effect is more active on calcium-independent pathway and more sensitive to the initial stage of contraction.     

Vasorelaxant effect of the rootbark extract of Paeonia moutan on isolated rat thoracic aorta

The vascular relaxant effect of the rootbark extract of Paeonia moutan was evaluated in isolated rat thoracic aorta. The methanolic extract of the rootbark showed a vasorelaxant activity in rat aortic preparations precontracted with 0.3 microM phenylephrine (IC50 value: 16.8 microg/mL). The activity-guided fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of five active principles such as paeoniflorin (1), paeonidanin (2), methylpaeoniflorin (4), tetragalloylglucose (5) and pentagalloylglucose (6), and these active ingredients potently relaxed phenylephrine-induced contraction of rat aortic preparations in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 values: 19.4, 7.9, 10.1, 5.1 and 3.6 microM, respectively). These results suggest that pinane glycosides and galloylglucoses might be the components responsible for the vasorelaxant properties of the rootbark extract of P. moutan, and their vasorelaxant effects may be mediated through increases in the release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells.     

Ca(2+)-channel blockade in rat thoracic aorta by protopine isolated from Corydalis tubers.

The pharmacological properties and mechanism of the action of protopine on isolated rat thoracic aorta were examined. It inhibited norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM)-induced tonic contraction in rat thoracic aorta in a concentration-dependent manner (25-100 micrograms/ml). The phasic contraction caused by NE was inhibited only by a high concentration of protopine (100 micrograms/ml). At the plateau of NE-induced tonic contraction, the addition of protopine also caused relaxation. This relaxing effect of protopine was not antagonized by indomethacin (20 microM) or methylene blue (50 microM), and it still existed in denuded rat aorta or in the presence of nifedipine (2-100 microM). Protopine also inhibited high potassium (60 mM)-induced, calcium-dependent (0.03-3 mM) contraction of rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. Neither cAMP nor cGMP level was changed by protopine. Both the formation of inositol monophosphate caused by NE and the phasic contraction induced by caffeine were also not affected by protopine. 45Ca2+ influx caused by either NE or K+ was inhibited by protopine concentration-dependently. It is concluded that protopine relaxed the rat thoracic aorta mainly by suppressing the Ca2+ influx through both voltage- and receptor-operated calcium channels.     

Mechanisms of relaxant action of a pyranocoumarin from Peucedanum japonicum in isolated rat thoracic aorta

The CHCl(3) -soluble fraction obtained from the MeOH extract of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. inhibited phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction in isolated rat thoracic aorta. We isolated a vasorelaxing compound, as one of the bioactive components, which was identified as (+)- cis-4'- O-acetyl-3'- O-angeloylkhellactone (1), a pyranocoumarin, and examined the mechanisms of vasorelaxant effect caused by 1. This compound (1) (10(-6)-10(-4) M) concentration-dependently relaxed the isolated rat thoracic aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE). This vasorelaxant potency was diminished by endothelial removal (by 20%), L- N(G)-nitro-arginine or methylene blue (MB), but not indomethacin treatment. These findings indicate that the vasorelaxant effect of 1 was partially endothelium dependent and mediated by nitric oxide and cyclic GMP pathway. To determine if the effect of 1 was mediated through the activation of some of the receptors known to lead to vascular relaxation, the effects of atropine, triprolidine and propranolol were determined. 1-induced vasorelaxation was not affected by atropine, triprolidine and propranolol. Compound 1 inhibited high potassium (80 mM)-induced, calcium-dependent contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. But it slightly relaxed the rat aorta precontracted with PE in the presence of nifedipine, a blocker of voltage-operated calcium channels. Tetraethylammonium (TEA, a non-specific (K+) channel blocker) did not affect the vasodilatory effect of 1 against PE-induced contraction. Mechanisms of the vasorelaxant effect of 1 were multiple, including endothelium dependence and Ca(2+) channel blockade.     

Vasorelaxant effect of formononetin in the rat thoracic aorta and its mechanisms

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of formononetin and the related mechanisms on isolated rat thoracic aorta. Formononetin concentration dependently relaxed aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE, 1 μM) or KCl (80 mM). Pretreatment with formononetin noncompetitively inhibited contractile responses of aortas to NE and KCl. The vasorelaxant effect of formononetin partially relied on intact endothelia, which was significantly attenuated by incubation with N^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100 μM). In endothelium-denuded rings, glibenclamide (10 μM) and tetraethylammonium (5 mM) showed slight reduction in the vasorelaxant effect of formononetin. Moreover, formononetin reduced NE-induced transient contraction in Ca²⁺-free solution and inhibited the vasocontraction induced by increasing external calcium in medium plus 80 mM KCl. Our results suggested that formononetin induced relaxation in rat aortic rings through an endothelium-dependent manner via nitric oxide synthesis pathway, and also involving an endothelium-independent vasodilatation by the blockade of Ca²⁺ channels. The opening of K⁺ channels might also be one of the mechanisms of formononetin-induced vasorelaxation.     

Endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect of dioclein, a new flavonoid isolated from Dioclea grandiflora, in the rat aorta

We have investigated the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect of the new flavonoid dioclein (5,2',5'-trihydroxy-6-7-dimethoxyflavanone) in the rat aorta. In endothelium-denuded vessels, dioclein induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of aortic rings precontracted with noradrenaline (IC50 = 3.5+/-0.89 x 10(-4) M and KCl (IC50 = 5.2+/-1.2 x 10(-4) M). In the absence of extracellular calcium, dioclein reduced the contraction induced by noradrenaline (maximal reduction approximately 33%) but not that induced by caffeine. Dioclein also produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the sustained contractions induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate in normal (IC50 = 4.0+/-0.2 x 10(-4) M) and Ca2+-free solution (IC50 = 4.0+/-0.3 x 10(-4) M). The results indicate that the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect of dioclein may be explained by inhibition of contractions dependent on activation of protein kinase C, voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx and on the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores sensitive to noradrenaline.     

Vasorelaxant effect of formononetin in the rat thoracic aorta and its mechanisms

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of formononetin and the related mechanisms on isolated rat thoracic aorta. Formononetin concentration dependently relaxed aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE, 1 μM) or KCl (80 mM). Pretreatment with formononetin noncompetitively inhibited contractile responses of aortas to NE and KCl. The vasorelaxant effect of formononetin partially relied on intact endothelia, which was significantly attenuated by incubation with N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 μM). In endothelium-denuded rings, glibenclamide (10 μM) and tetraethylammonium (5 mM) showed slight reduction in the vasorelaxant effect of formononetin. Moreover, formononetin reduced NE-induced transient contraction in Ca2?-free solution and inhibited the vasocontraction induced by increasing external calcium in medium plus 80 mM KCl. Our results suggested that formononetin induced relaxation in rat aortic rings through an endothelium-dependent manner via nitric oxide synthesis pathway, and also involving an endothelium-independent vasodilatation by the blockade of Ca2? channels. The opening of K? channels might also be one of the mechanisms of formononetin-induced vasorelaxation.     

参麦注射液对大鼠离体胸主动脉血管环作用及机制的研究

目的 探讨参麦注射液对离体大鼠胸主动脉血管环的作用及作用机制.方法 采用离体血管灌流方法,观察参麦注射液对血管环的直接作用;对苯肾上腺素(PE)或氯化钾(KCl)所引发收缩作用的影响;对内钙释放和外钙内流所引发收缩作用的影响;对乙酰胆碱(ACH)所引发舒张作用的影响.结果 参麦注射液对血管环无明显的直接作用(与对照组比较P均＞0.05);对PE和KCl引发的收缩均有明显的抑制(与对照组比P＜0.05);对内钙释放和外钙内流所引发收缩作用均有明显的抑制(与对照组比较P均＜0.01);对ACH所引发的舒张作用有明显的抑制(与对照组比较P均＜0.05).结论 参麦注射液既能抑制PE和KCl对血管环所引起的收缩作用,又能抑制ACH对血管环所引起的舒张作用,有双向调节血管张力的作用.     

Influences of hypercholesterolemia on the vessel function of isolated rat thoracic aorta]

Mature male rats (SD strain, 8-week-old) were fed with a normal diet or a high cholesterol diet (HC: 1.5% cholesterol and 0.5% Na cholate in the normal diet) up to 8 weeks, and we examined how the vascular function level of the isolated thoracic aorta and the histological figures of some tissues including the aorta would change. 1) The contracting reactivity to phenylephrine (Phe, 10 microM) and the relaxing reactivity to acetylcholine (1 microM) measured thereafter remained unchanged during the period of aging and were not influenced by HC-feeding. The addition of L-arginine (Arg, 100 microM) did not affect the results. 2) The ability of the aorta to release NO and to relax, which was evaluated as the extent of the endothelium-dependent potentiation by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMA) of the Phe contraction, did not change by HC-feeding up to 4 weeks, but appears to be attenuated after 8-week feeding. 3) The EC50 of NMA for the potentiation estimated without the addition of Arg remained unchanged, while the one in the presence of Arg gradually increased with aging but not with HC-feeding. 4) The histopathological study of the aorta and other tissues failed to detect any notable atherogenic changes in any of the HC-fed groups. The results indicate that under the experimental conditions employed, HC-feeding would not develop any significant atherogenic histopathological changes in the endothelium-smooth muscle preparation, but may induce some dysfunction in the NO-release mediated and auto-regulatory function of the vascular tone.     

pH对大鼠离体胸主动脉环静息张力的影响及机制

目的观察pH改变对大鼠离体胸主动脉环静息张力的影响,探讨其可能的作用机制。方法采用离体血管张力实验方法,观察pH改变对大鼠离体胸主动脉环静息张力的的影响。观察静息状态下外钙内流和内钙释放在pH=9.5收缩大鼠离体胸主动脉环中的作用,以及孵育钙通道阻断剂维拉帕米(VEP,10-5 mol.L-1)、Na+/Ca2+交换阻断剂KB-R7943(10-6 mol.L-1)、Na+/H+交换抑制剂氨氯吡咪(AM,10-4 mol.L-1)对pH=9.5时大鼠离体胸主动脉环收缩的影响。结果胞外酸性环境下随pH值逐渐降低,大鼠离体胸主动脉环静息张力无明显改变;碱性环境下随pH值逐渐增加,其静息张力明显升高,其中pH=8.5、pH=9.0、pH=9.5、pH=10.0时的Emax分别为(11.79±6.83)%、(30.25±3.57)%、(92.24±5.73)%、(110.85±7.78)%。外钙内流和内钙释放均参与pH=9.5时的胸主动脉环收缩,VEP可部分阻断其收缩。KB-R7943和AM对pH=9.5时大鼠离体胸主动脉环收缩有减弱作用(P<0.01),其Emax分别为(48.33±5.75)%、(32.12±4.45)%。结论胞外碱性环境下,大鼠离体胸主动脉环静息张力随pH值增大而明显升高,此作用依赖外钙内流和内钙释放,与Na+/Ca2+交换和Na+/H+交换均有关。     

维药唇香草挥发油对大鼠离体胸主动脉的舒张作用及其机制

目的:研究唇香草挥发油(VOZ)的舒张血管作用及其作用机制.方法:采用BL-420生物机能实验系统,描记VOZ对二唑[4,3-a]喹喔啉-1-酮(OQD)、四乙基氯化铵(TEA)、格列苯脲(Gliben)和氯化钡(BaCl2)预处理内皮去除组和内皮完整组血管张力变化及无钙高钾液中钙离子收缩曲线.结果:VOZ对去氧肾上腺素(PE)预收缩的血管环具有浓度依赖的舒张作用,内皮去除组和内皮完整组血管舒张差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),半数最大效应浓度(EC50)为219.66 mg·L-1.ODQ、TEA、Gliben和BaCl2分别预处理不能抑制VOZ的血管舒张效应(P＞0.05).VOZ对无钙高钾液中钙离子收缩曲线均有显著的抑制作用(P＜0.05),其最大浓度抑制率为44.4％.但VOZ不能抑制无钙液中PE引起的内钙释放(P＞0.05).结论:VOZ具有非内皮和浓度依赖的舒张血管作用,其机制可能与抑制外钙内流干扰胞质内钙离子平衡有关.     

The action of the psychoactive drug 2C-B on isolated rat thoracic aorta.

1. 2C-B [2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine] elicits concentration-dependent contraction of the rat thoracic aorta (apparent pD2 = 4.55). The maximal contraction (Emax) attained with 2C-B is less than that produced by either norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (5-HT). 2. Pretreatment with either prazosin (5 x 10(-9) - 10(-8) M) or ketanserin (5 x 10(-9) - 10(-8) M) leads to decreased slopes and Emax in the 2C-B dose-response curves. 3. 2.82 x 10(-5) M 2C-B potentiates the response to low concentrations of NE; 5 x 10(-5) M 2C-B shows similar behaviour, but with reduced Emax. At 10(-6) M 2C-B acts as a competitive 5-HT antagonist; at 2.8 x 10(-5) M, however, it behaves like a non-competitive 5-HT antagonist. 4. Removal of the endothelial lining from the aortal rings only shifts the 2C-B dose-response curve to the left. 5. These results suggest that 2C-B behaves as a partial agonist toward both alpha 1-adrenergic and 5-HT2 serotonergic receptors. The endothelium only seems to act as a diffusional barrier to the drug.