| Abstract: | Context: Different Hypericum species such as Hypericum perforatum (HP) L. and Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra are well known and widely used traditional medicine in Turkey.Objectives: We investigated the effect of standardized HP extract on endothelium and vascular function.Materials and methods: After suspending the aortas with endothelium in organ baths containing Krebs solution, contractile and relaxant responses were assessed in the absence and presence of HP (0.05?mg/ml).Results: Although there were significant reductions in the contractile responses to phenylephrine (1113.73?±?164.11; 477.40?±?39.94; p?<?0.05) and potassium chloride (745.58?±?66.73; 112.58?±?26.58; p?<?0.05), no differences in the relaxant responses to acetylcholine (94.61?±?2.65; 87.79?±?9.40) and sodium nitroprusside (108.82?±?5.06; 106.43?±?7.45) were observed.Discussion and conclusion: These data suggest that even the high dose of HP intervention does not bring any harmful effect on endothelium and smooth muscle function; meanwhile it might be beneficial on some of diseases accompanied with increased vascular contraction. |
