Effects of the ethanolic extract of Spirulina maxima on endothelium dependent vasomotor responses of rat aortic rings

Dietary Spirulina decreases, endothelium-dependently, the responses to vasoconstrictor agonists and increases the endothelium-dependent, agonist-induced, vasodilator responses of rat aorta rings. The aim of this study was to analyze, in vitro, the effects of a raw ethanolic extract of Spirulina maxima on the vasomotor responses of rat aortic rings to phenylephrine and to carbachol. On rings with endothelium, the extract produced the following effects: (a) a concentration-dependent (60-1000 microg/ml) decrease of the contractile response to phenylephrine; (b) a rightward shift and a decrease in maximal developed tension, of the concentration--response curve to phenylephrine; (c) a concentration dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted rings. These effects were blocked by L-NAME, and not modified by indomethacin. The extract had no effect on the concentration-response curve to carbachol of rings with endothelium. On endothelium-denuded rings the extract caused a significant rightward shift of the concentration response curve to phenylephrine without any effect on maximal tension development. In the presence of the extract, indomethacin induced a marked decrease in the maximal phenylephrine-induced tension of endothelium-denuded rings. These results suggest that the extract increases the basal synthesis/release of NO by the endothelium and, also, the synthesis/release of a cyclooxygenase-dependent vasoconstricting prostanoid by vascular smooth muscle cells.     

丹参对离体大鼠主动脉环舒张作用的机制

目的研究中药丹参(SM)对离体大鼠胸主动脉环舒缩张力的作用及其可能途径。方法采用大鼠离体胸主动脉灌流技术,以累积浓度法观测SM对基础状态、去甲肾上腺素(10μmol/L)和氯化钾(60 mmol/L)预收缩的血管环张力的影响;运用一氧化氮合酶抑制剂左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯(0.1 mmol/L)、鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂亚甲蓝(10μmol/L)及环氧合酶抑制剂吲哚美辛(10μmol/L)处理血管环,探讨SM影响血管环张力的机制。结果SM(0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,10.0 g/L)对基础状态或氯化钾预收缩的血管环无影响,而对去甲肾上腺素预收缩的内皮完整血管环产生浓度依赖性的舒张作用,并且去除内皮后,SM的舒张作用被取消。用左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯和亚甲蓝预处理后,均可阻断SM的舒张血管作用,而用吲哚美辛(10μmol/L)预处理后未能阻断SM的血管舒张作用。结论SM通过一氧化氮-鸟苷酸环化酶途径产生内皮依赖的血管舒张作用。     

喀什小檗叶不同萃取部位舒张血管活性的筛选

目的研究喀什小檗叶不同萃取部位对大鼠离体胸主动脉环的舒张作用,筛选有效部位。方法采用离体血管灌流实验方法,观察0.01、0.05、0.1、0.5、1、5 mg/mL喀什小檗叶不同萃取部位(石油醚、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇、水)对去氧肾上腺素(PE)(1μmol/L)预收缩的内皮完整血管环和去内皮血管环张力的影响。内皮完整血管环经一氧化氮合酶抑制剂(L?NAME)预处理,以探讨喀什小檗叶乙酸乙酯部位舒张血管作用是否与NO释放有关。结果喀什小檗叶不同萃取部位中,乙酸乙酯部位对内皮完整和去内皮的离体血管环均有浓度依赖性地舒张作用(P<0.01),并且去内皮处理后,作用强度无明显差异(P>0.05)。经L?NAME预处理后,乙酸乙酯部位对内皮完整血管环的舒张作用不受抑制。结论喀什小檗叶不同萃取部位中乙酸乙酯部位具有舒张血管作用,其舒张血管作用是非内皮依赖性的,并且其作用机制与内源性NO释放无关。     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of callus culture extracts and fractions from fresh apical stems of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae): part 2

The ethanolic extracts from fresh apical stems of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae) cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with IBA/BAP/Coco nucifera L. milk for 1, 2, 4 and 6 months were phytochemically and biologically investigated and compared with intact plant part and whole plant extracts. Results from the in vitro antiplasmodial testing indicated that the EtOH extract of a 1-month-old callus culture (IC(50) = 16.3 +/- 2.5 microg/ml) exhibited a higher activity than the ethanolic extracts of the fresh apical stem (IC(50) = 18.2 +/- 2.4 microg/ml) and callus cultures of 2-, 4- and 6-months-old (25 microg/ml < IC(50) < 40 microg/ml). These activities were however lower than that displayed by the ethanolic extract of the whole plant (IC(50) < 3 microg/ml). The EtOH extract of 1-month-old callus culture (the most active) was fractionated with solvents of different polarities. Its CH(2)Cl(2) fraction rich in terpenic constituents (IC(50) = 9.2 +/- 3.4 microg/ml) exhibited a higher antiplasmodial activity than its isoamylic alcohol fraction obtained at pH 2-3 (IC(50) = 25.6 +/- 2.3 microg/ml) rich in flavonoids. The activity of these two fractions was lower than that displayed by the same fractions from the whole plant (2 microg/ml < IC(50) < 3 microg/ml). Alkaloidic fractions from the whole plant and 1-month-old callus culture of fresh apical stem were considered as inactive (IC(50) > 100 microg/ml).     

大黄素对大鼠体外血管内皮一氧化氮cGMP信号途径的影响

目的探讨大黄素的舒血管效应与血管内皮一氧化氮cGMP信号途径的关系.方法采用MedLab生物信号采集系统记录灌流大鼠胸主动脉环张力变化;用硝酸还原酶法测定大黄素处理后离体大鼠主动脉血管的总一氧化氮合酶（tNOS）、结构型一氧化氮合酶（cNOS）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）活性的变化.结果大黄素对苯肾上腺素和氯化钾预收缩的内皮完整和去内皮血管环具有浓度依赖性的舒张作用.非特异性钾通道抑制剂氯化铯预处理能显著减弱大黄素对去内皮血管环的舒血管作用,但未能抑制大黄素对内皮完整血管环的舒血管作用.用一氧化氮合酶（NOS）抑制剂L-NAME和鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂ODQ预处理后,40μmol/L大黄素引起的血管舒张作用被部分阻断,其血管舒张幅度分别为对照的（64.76±13.73）%和（6.28±4.79）%.40 μmol/L大黄素处理能够使血管iNOS的活性显著升高.结论大黄素的内皮依赖性舒血管作用可能通过激活血管内皮细胞中一氧化氮/cGMP信号途径而实现.     

Nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation induced by extractive solutions and fractions of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart ex Reissek (Celastraceae) leaves

This study reveals that an ethanolic supernatant obtained from an aqueous extractive solution prepared from residues of methanolic extracts of ground leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia is able to cause a concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxation in pre-contract rat aorta rings, with EC(50) of 199.7 (190-210) microg/ml. The non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitors l-NAME and l-NMMA abolished this effect, while superoxide dismutase and MnTBAP (a non-enzymatic superoxide dismutase mimetic) enhanced it. Further, relaxation induced by this ethanolic supernatant have been strongly inhibited by the guanylate cyclase inhibitors methylene blue and ODQ, as well as by the potassium channel blockers 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium, but was unchanged by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and the membrane receptor antagonists atropine, HOE-140 and pirilamine. Partition of the ethanolic supernatant between H(2)O and EtOAc generated a fraction several times more potent, able to fully relax endothelium-intact aorta rings with an EC(50) of 4.3 (3.9-4.8) microg/ml. (13)C NMR spectrum of this fraction showed signals typical of catechin. This study reveals that the leaves of M. ilicifolia possess one or more potent substances able to relax endothelium-intact rat aorta rings, an event that appears to involve nitric oxide production, guanylate cyclase activation and potassium channel opening.     

Water extract of Zanthoxylum piperitum induces vascular relaxation via endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study was to define the effects of extracts of leaves of Zanthoxylum piperitum (ZP) on the vascular tension and its mechanisms responsible in rat thoracic aortic rings.

Materials and methods

Methanol extract of ZP and aqueous fraction of the methanol extract (AZP) were examined for their vascular relaxant effects in isolated phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings.

Results

Methanol extract of ZP and aqueous fraction of the methanol extract (AZP) induced relaxation of the phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Endothelium-denudation abolished the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic rings with N^G-nitro-l-arginine methylester (L-NAME) and 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-α]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. Inhibition of Ca²⁺ entry via L-type Ca²⁺ channels failed to block the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. Extracellular Ca²⁺ depletion slightly but significantly attenuated the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. Thapsigargin significantly attenuated the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. Further, Gd³⁺ and 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB), inhibitors of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE), markedly attenuated the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. Also, wortmannin, an inhibitor of Akt, an upstream signaling molecule of eNOS, attenuated the AZP-induced vasorelaxation. AZP increased cGMP levels of the aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner and the effect was blocked by L-NAME, ODQ, thapsigargin, Gd³⁺, 2-APB, and wortmannin. K⁺ channel inhibition with glibenclamide and tetraethylammonium, cyclooxygenase inhibition with indomethacin, and adrenergic and muscarinic receptors blockade had no effects on the AZP-induced vasorelaxation.

Conclusion

Taken together, the present study suggests that AZP relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent activation of NO-cGMP signaling through the Akt- and SOCE-eNOS pathways.     

玄参提取物舒张血管作用及机制研究

目的观察玄参提取物(extract from scrophulariae,radix,ES)血管舒张作用及其机制。方法采用大鼠离体血管环功能实验装置,记录张力变化,每组血管来自6只同批大鼠,分别保留或去除内皮,各阻断剂预处理25 min后做ES舒张曲线;ES预处理10 min后做钙离子收缩曲线。结果玄参提取物(ES)(0.05 mg/L~2 000 mg/L)剂量依赖性地舒张苯肾上腺素(PE)预收缩的内皮完好或内皮去除大鼠胸主动脉环,在去除内皮前后最大舒张效应(E max)无显著性差异,分别为(78.29%±1.20%)和(76.89%±3.20%);亚硝基左旋精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME)、吲哚美辛、普萘洛尔、鸟甘酸环化酶抑制剂(ODQ)预处理不能抑制ES的血管舒张效应;ES(500 mg/L)对血管紧张素Ⅱ、前列环素F2α、多巴胺、血管加压素收缩血管显示出抑制效应(P0.05),而对5-羟色胺、内皮素-1(ET-1)的收缩作用无影响;ES(1 000 mg/L)预处理可显著抑制无钙高钾液中由Ca2+内流引起的血管收缩(P0.05),ES(500 mg/L)预处理可抑制无钙液中PE血管收缩强度(P0.01);钾通道阻断剂四乙胺(TEA)3 mmol/L、BaCl20.1 mmol/L预处理可阻断ES血管舒张作用(P0.01),半数效应浓度EC50分别为TEA组(1 900 mg/L)、BaCl2组(1 400 mg/L)。结论 ES具有非内皮依赖性血管舒张作用,其机制与影响血管平滑肌上钾通道有关;部分与阻断钙通道,调节细胞内钙离子浓度相关。     

吴茱萸对家兔离体胸主动脉作用机制的实验研究

 目的 观察贵州余庆种植的吴茱萸对家兔离体胸主动脉的作用,探讨其可能的作用机制。方法 取家兔离体胸主动脉条,分为内皮完整组和去内皮组,观察累积质量浓度的吴茱萸水煎液对胸主动脉条的作用。同时用左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯、吲哚美辛苦及BaCl₂预孵育血管环,观察吴茱萸的作用。结果 贵州余庆种植的吴茱萸水煎液能够浓度依赖性地提高血管环张力,且对内皮完整血管环的收缩作用明显强于去内皮血管环。用左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯和吲哚美辛苦预孵育血管环后,吴茱萸使血管环张力上升的幅度降低;用BaCl₂预孵育血管环后对吴茱萸的缩血管作用没有影响。 结论 贵州余庆种植的吴茱萸水煎液对家兔离体胸主动脉有内皮依赖性的收缩作用,同时推测吴茱萸水煎液内还存在可诱导血管内皮细胞释放NO和前列环素的成分,使血管舒张,部分抵消其收缩作用。     

夏枯草醇提取物对正常大鼠离体胸主动脉环的舒张作用

目的：探讨夏枯草醇提取物对胸主动脉环的舒张作用及其作用机制。方法：采用大鼠离体胸主动脉环灌流模型法,观察夏枯草醇提取物（0.05,0.10和0.15mg.ml-1）对苯肾上腺素（PE）1.0μmol.L-1和KCl 50 mmol.L-1预收缩的胸主动脉环张力的影响。结果：夏枯草醇提取物对离体大鼠内皮完整和去内皮的胸主动脉环均有浓度依赖性的舒张作用,而对苯肾上腺素（PE）预收缩血管的舒张作用是内皮依赖性的。用一氧化氮合酶抑制L-NAME和岛苷酸环化酶抑制剂MB预处理后,两者的血管舒张作用均被阻断。但用环氧合酶抑制剂吲哚美辛,不能阻断夏枯草醇提取物引起的舒张血管作用。结论：夏枯草醇提取物可能是通过NO-鸟苷酸环化酶途径产生内皮依赖性的血管舒张作用。     

Nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta induced by aqueous extract of red rice fermented with Monascus ruber

Vasodilatory effects of aqueous extract of red rice fermented with Monascus ruber IFO32318 were examined on the isolated rat aorta. The water phase of fermented rice with Monascus (WP/FRM, 0.1-10 mg/ml) caused a transient relaxation of the endothelium-intact rat aorta precontracted with norepinephrine (NE, 300 nM). The WP/FRM-induced relaxation was abolished by removal of endothelium or in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 microM), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor. Neither atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist (10 microM), nor indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (10 microM), altered the WP/FRM-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), one of the principle components of the extract, did not affect the muscle tension of the aorta with intact endothelium. In addition, WP/FRM increased the production of NO in primary cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical vein. The enhanced production of NO by WP/FRM was diminished by pretreatment with L-NNA (10 microM). In conclusion, WP/FRM induces relaxation of rat aorta by releasing NO from endothelium. There seem to be some unknown factor(s) other than acetylcholine (Ach) and GABA, in the aqueous extract of red rice, which stimulate vascular endothelial cells to produce and/or release NO leading to endothelium-dependent relaxation by WP/FRM.     

桃叶珊瑚苷舒张血管作用机制研究

目的探讨桃叶珊瑚苷舒张血管的作用机制。方法去甲肾上腺素(10-6 mol/L)收缩内皮完整、去内皮、加入一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L-NAME孵育的大鼠胸主动脉血管后,加入累积浓度的桃叶珊瑚苷,检测血管张力变化。桃叶珊瑚苷孵育大鼠心脏微血管内皮细胞24 h,应用MTT法检测细胞活力,应用ELISA法检测细胞eNOS蛋白表达。结果桃叶珊瑚苷(0.5,5,20μmol/L)具有舒张内皮完整的大鼠胸主动脉血管的作用,去内皮和L-NAME(100μmol/L)能够抑制桃叶珊瑚苷舒张血管的作用。桃叶珊瑚苷(0.5,5,20μmol/L,24 h)具有促进大鼠心脏微血管内皮细胞eNOS蛋白表达的作用。结论桃叶珊瑚苷可能通过内皮依赖的NO途径发挥快速的舒张血管的作用,并且具有促进eNOS蛋白表达的作用。     

Vasodilating properties of the stem bark extract of Mitragyna ciliata in rats and guinea pigs

Mitragyna ciliata is commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension, headache, rheumatism, gonorrhoea and broncho-pulmonary diseases. In the present study, the vascular relaxant effect in the rat and guinea-pig was investigated. The extract induced aortic relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner, with an EC(50) of 1.3 and 7 microg/mL for the noradrenaline- and KCl-induced contractions, respectively. The relaxant effect of the extract on KCl-induced contractions was fi ve times greater than on noradrenaline-induced contractions. Moreover, the relaxant effect of the extract was higher in rat aortic rings with endothelium (104.67%) than without endothelium (49.44%). Chemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids which may be responsible for the antihypertensive properties.     

Inhibitory activity of xanthine-oxidase and superoxide scavenger properties of Inga verna subsp. affinis. Its morphological and micrographic characteristics

Hexane, dichloromethane and ethanolic extracts of Inga verna subsp. affinis were evaluated as inhibitors of xanthine-oxidase and as scavengers of the superoxide produced by the action of the enzyme. Ethanolic but not hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed inhibitory properties of xanthine-oxidase (IC50=27.3 microg/ml) with an additional superoxide scavenging capacity (IC50=12.7 microg/ml). The antioxidant potential was confirmed with the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, which showed that the ethanolic extract scavenges 50% DPPH free radicals at 11.6 microg/ml. HPLC study of the phenol content of the active extract, revealed the presence of ellagic and gallic acids as its main constituents. The main morphological and micrographic characteristics of Inga verna subsp. affinis are described in this paper too, in order to aid in its inequivocal identification since Inga spp. are noted for their morphological variation, which makes taxonomic classification very difficult.     

The antihypertensive and vasodilator effects of aqueous extract from Berberis vulgaris fruit on hypertensive rats

The aqueous extract from Berberis vulgaris fruit (B.V.) was tested to evaluate its antihypertensive effects on DOCA-induced hypertension in the rats. Hypertension was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) by DOCA-salt injection (20 mg/kg, twice weekly, for 5 weeks, s.c.) plus NaCl (1%) which was added to the animals' drinking water. Then 5 weeks later, the rats were anaesthetized with thiopental (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and the arterial blood pressure was measured. The mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were 231 +/- 6.4 (mmHg) and 506 +/- 12 (beats/min), respectively. Administration of B.V. extracts significantly reduced the rat arterial blood pressure. In in vitro studies, rings of descending aorta were cut and mounted for isometric tension recording in an organ chamber containing Krebs solution. Mesenteric beds were also removed and perfused with Krebs solution. After 1 h of stabilization, preparations (aortic rings or mesenteric beds) were precontracted with phenylephrine (10(-5) M), then different concentrations of B.V. (0.4, 2 and 4 mg/mL) were added which caused a relaxation in these vessels. To investigate the mechanism of action of the extract, the tissues were incubated with either L-NAME (10(-5) M) or indomethacin (10(-5) M) for 20 min. In the aortic rings L-NAME pretreatment could only reduce the vasodilatory effects of a low concentration of B.V. (0.4 mg/mL), but indomethacin was without effect. In isolated perfused mesenteric beds preincubation with either L-NAME or indomethacin did not modify the vasodilator effects of the aqueous extract from B.V. fruit. The present results suggest that the antihypertensive and vasodilatory effects of B.V. fruit extract are mainly endothelial-independent and it may be used to treat hypertension, a status with endothelial dysfunction.     

Effects of phenylpropanoid and iridoid glycosides on free radical-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aortic rings.

The protective effect of phenylpropanoid glycosides, forsythoside B and alyssonoside, and the iridoid glycoside lamiide, isolated from the aerial parts of Phlomis pungens var. pungens, against free radical-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated rat aorta was investigated. Aortic rings were exposed to free radicals by the electrolysis of the physiological bathing solution. Free radical-induced inhibition of the endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine was countered by incubation of the aortic rings before electrolysis with the aqueous extract (200 microg/ml), phenylpropanoid fraction (100 microg/ml) and iridoid fraction (150 microg/ml) of P. pungens var. pungens. Major components of the phenylpropanoid fraction forsythoside B and alyssonoside also prevented the inhibition of the acetylcholine response, at 10(-4) M concentration. However, the major component of iridoid fraction lamiide was found ineffective at the same concentration. The protective activity of phenylpropanoid glycosides against the free radical-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation may be related to their free radical scavenging property.     

Assessment of the antihypertensive and vasodilator effects of ethanolic extracts of some Colombian medicinal plants

The antihypertensive and vasodilator effects of ethanolic extracts prepared from Calea glomerata Klatt, Croton schiedeanus Schlecht, Curatella americana L., Lippia alba (Mill)n N.E.Br. and Lupinus amandus, which are medicinal plants used in Colombian folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension, were assayed both in SHR and Wistar rats and in rat isolated aortic rings. At a dose of 20 mg/kg, intravenous bolus administration of the ethanolic extracts, from C. schiedeanus, C. americana and L. amandus showed significant antihypertensive activity in SHR, C. schiedeanus being the most active. C. schiedeanus elicited dose-dependent decreases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate (5-100 mg/kg, i.v.) in SHR but 200 mg/kg administered orally did not show any significant effects, even after 3 h of observation. In intact rat aortic rings, ethanolic extracts from C. schiedeanus and Calea glomerata relaxed the contractions induced by KCl (80 mM) and phenylephrine (10(-6) M) in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-6)-3x10(-4) g/ml), with IC(50) of 6.5x10(-5) (7.3-5.8) g/ml and 7.1x10(-5) (7.9-6.4) g/ml, respectively. Bioguided phytochemical fractionation of the ethanolic extract from C. schiedeanus was started. More than one active principle seems to be present, flavonoids and terpenoids compounds were detected.     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of Brazilian Cerrado plants used as traditional remedies

Twenty-seven species of native Brazilian Cerrado plants commonly used by traditional healers to treat malaria and other diseases were collected and 204 hexanic and ethanolic extracts were obtained by maceration. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was tested in vitro against a chloroquine resistant strain (FcB1) of Plasmodium falciparum, and cytotoxicity against the cell lines L-6 of rats and MRC-5 of human was evaluated. Thirty-two extracts showed significant inhibition rates of Plasmodium falciparum growth and of these six showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines. The strongest antiplasmodial activity was found for the hexanic extracts of Xylopia aromatica root wood (IC(50)=4.7 microg/ml), Xylopia emarginata root bark (IC(50)=4.9 microg/ml), Casearia sylvestris var. lingua leaves, stem wood and stem bark, and root wood and root bark (IC(50) values from 0.9 to 2.3 microg/ml), and Cupania vernalis leaves (IC(50)=0.9 microg/ml); and for the ethanolic extract of Aspidosperma macrocarpon root bark (IC(50)=4.9 microg/ml). However, the best selectivity towards Plasmodium falciparum was observed for the hexanic root bark extract of Matayba guianensis (IC(50) on Plasmodium falciparum=6.1 microg/ml, SI=16.4 for MRC-5) and the ethanolic root bark extract of Aspidosperma macrocarpon (IC(50) on Plasmodium falciparum=4.9 micro/ml, SI=16.2 for MRC-5).     

Role of nitric oxide in the vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects of extracts and purified tannins from Geum japonicum

Crude extracts and three purified tannins from Geum japonicum Thunberg (Rosaceae) were examined for relaxant effects in isolated rat thoracic aorta and for hypotensive effects in anesthetized normotensive and hypertensive rats. The acetone extract and the butyl alcohol extract of Geum japonicum at a cumulative concentration of 30mug/ml potently relaxed phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings by 73+/-5% and 80+/-7%, respectively, without affecting the resting tension of these vessels. Removal of the vascular endothelium, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA) or inhibition of cGMP biosynthesis with methylene blue all abolished the vasorelaxant effects of the Geum japonicum extracts. Addition of l-arginine, the substrate for NO biosynthesis, reversed the inhibitory effects of l-NA. Similar vasorelaxant effects of 82+/-10%, 61+/-8% and 82+/-14%, were observed with the purified tannins, penta-O-galloyl-beta-glucoside, casuariin and 5-desgalloylstachyurin, respectively, at a cumulative concentration of 10muM. Intravenous injection of the butyl alcohol extract of Geum japonicum at a cumulative dose of 2.5mg/kg into both hypertensive and normotensive rats resulted in a marked reduction in the mean arterial blood pressure by 46+/-6% and 34+/-7%, respectively, which was abolished by prior injection of l-NA. Therefore, these results suggest that tannins may be responsible for the vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects of Geum japonicum, mediated via endogenous NO and subsequent cGMP formation. The data suggest that extracts of Geum japonicum may have potential use as new anti-hypertensive agents for lowering arterial blood pressure in hypertensive patients.     

Bakuchicin induces vascular relaxation via endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling

Bakuchicin is a furanocoumarin derived from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of bakuchicin on vascular tone in rat aortic tissue. Bakuchicin induced a dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted rat aorta which was abolished by removal of the endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-α]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) significantly inhibited the vascular relaxation induced by bakuchicin. Incubation with bakuchicin increased the production of cGMP in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with both L-NAME and ODQ. Vascular relaxation induced by bakuchicin was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with verapamil and diltiazem, but not by several other inhibitors including tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide, indomethacin, atropine or propranolol. These results suggested that bakuchicin-induced vasodilatation is closely associated with the endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway, with the possible involvement of L-type Ca(2+) channels.