New vasorelaxant indole alkaloids, villocarines A-D from Uncaria villosa

Villocarines A-D (1-4), four new indole alkaloids have been isolated from the leaves of Uncaria villosa (Rubiaceae) and their structures were elucidated by 2D NMR methods and chemical correlations. Villocarine A (1) showed vasorelaxation activity against rat aortic ring and showed inhibition effect on vasocontraction of depolarized aorta with high concentration potassium, and also inhibition effect on phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction in the presence of nicardipine in a Ca(2+) concentration-dependent manner. The vasorelaxant effect by 1 might be attributed mainly to inhibition of calcium influx from extracellular space through voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDC) and/or receptor-operated Ca(2+)-channels (ROC), and also partly mediated through the increased release of NO from endothelial cells and opening of voltage-gated K(+)-channels.     

Pharmacological evaluation of GS-389, a novel tetrahydroisoquinoline analog related to higenamine, on vascular smooth muscle.

The effects of GS-389, a novel tetrahydroisoquinoline analog, on isolated rat and mouse thoracic aorta rings, were investigated. Both GS-389 and papaverine induced endothelium-independent, concentration-dependent relaxations of the rat and mouse aortae precontracted with phenylephrine (PE). The GS-389-induced inhibition of the contractile response to PE was noncompetitive. The initial phasic contraction to PE elicited in Ca(2+)-free media was also attenuated by pretreatment with GS-389, indicating that GS-389 may interfere with the release of intracellular Ca2+ and/or the effects of intracellular Ca2+ release. GS-389 potentiated the vasodilatory effects of isoproterenol and sodium nitroprusside in rat and mouse aortae. GS-389 significantly increased cGMP levels in the rat aorta and inhibited cGMP phosphodiesterase from the rabbit brain. Methylene blue, but not propranolol, inhibited the vasodilatory effect of GS-389. These results suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of GS-389 may be due, at least in part, to inhibition of cGMP metabolism.     

Vascular smooth muscle relaxation by a lectin from Pisum arvense: evidences of endothelial NOS pathway

The vasorelaxant effect of the lectin of Pisum arvense (PAL) seeds was investigated in rat aorta. PAL (10-100 μg/ml) was applied on aorta rings, with or without endothelium, pre-contracted with phenylephrine (Phe; 0.1 μM). Participation of endothelium derived relaxant factors was evaluated incubating the tissue with indomethacin (10 μM), L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 μM) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 5 mM) before addition of PAL. The role of the lectin domain was investigated by addition of PAL into tissue in presence of glucose (3x 10?? M), or N-acetyl Dglucosamine (GlcNAc; 3 x 10?? M). The importance of extracellular calcium (Ca2?e) or interaction with muscarinic receptors in the relaxant effect was evaluated by addition of PAL into aorta rings containing calcium free solution (OCa) and atropine (1 μ M), respectively. PAL induced concentration-dependent relaxation in endothelized aorta (IC50 =58.38 ± 1.87 μg/ml), which was reversed by L-NAME and glucose. The lectin effect was totally inhibited when the preparation was inserted in OCa, but not in presence of atropine. Summarizing, our data showed a relaxant effect of PAL in isolated rat aorta rings in presence of endothelium, suggestive of interaction between the lectin carbohydrate binding sites with specific receptors located in vascular endothelial cells leading to nitric oxide synthase activation. This effect seems to require Ca2?e but is independent on muscarinic receptors interaction.     

Structure of a new cyclic nonapeptide, segetalin F, and vasorelaxant activity of segetalins from Vaccaria segetalis

A new cyclic nonapeptide, segetalin F, has been isolated from the seeds of Vaccaria segetalis and the structure including absolute stereochemistry was elucidated by using 2D NMR and chemical means. A series of segetalins showed a vasorelaxant activity against norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractions of rat aorta.     

Alstilobanines A-E, new indole alkaloids from Alstonia angustiloba

Five new alkaloids, alstilobanines A (1)-E (5) were isolated from Alstonia angustiloba (Apocynaceae) and their structures were determined by MS and 2D NMR spectral analysis. Alstilobanines A-E showed a moderate vasorelaxant activity against phenylephrine-induced contraction of isolated rat aorta.     

Mechanisms of the vasorelaxant effect of 1, 5-dihydroxy-2, 3-dimethoxy-xanthone, an active metabolite of 1-hydroxy-2, 3, 5-trimethoxy-xanthone isolated from a Tibetan herb, Halenia elliptica, on rat coronary artery

1, 5-Dihydroxy-2, 3-dimethoxy-xanthone (HM-5) is one of the naturally-occurring xanthones of a Tibetan medicinal herb Halenia elliptica. Recently, it has been shown that HM-5 is one of the phase I metabolites of 1-hydroxy-2, 3, 5-trimethoxy-xanthone (HM-1), the major active component of H. elliptica with potent vasorelaxant actions. This study investigated the vasorelaxant effect of HM-5 and its mechanism(s). HM-5 (0.35-21.9 microM) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in rat coronary artery rings pre-contracted with 1 microM 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), with an EC(50) of 4.40+/-1.08 microM. Unlike HM-1, the effect of HM-5 was endothelial-independent such that removal of the endothelium did not affect its vasodilator potency. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 100 microM), the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-alpha] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 microM) did not affect the vasodilatory effects of HM-5, thus confirming the non-involvement of endothelium related mechanisms. In endothelium-denuded coronary artery rings, the vasorelaxant effect of HM-5 was inhibited by a potassium channel blocker, TEA (10 mM), and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, a K(v) blocker; 1 mM) but not by other K+ channel blockers such as iberiotoxin (100 nM), barium chloride (100 microM) and glibenclamide (10 microM). The involvement of Ca2+ channel was studied in artery rings pre-incubated with Ca2+-free buffer (intact endothelium or endothelium-denuded) and primed with 1 microM 5-HT or 60 mM KCl prior to the addition of CaCl2 to elicit contraction. In the 5-HT-primed preparations, HM-5 (34.7 microM) significantly inhibited the CaCl(2)-induced vasoconstriction (89.9% inhibition in intact endothelium artery rings; 83.3% inhibition in endothelium-denuded rings). In the KCl-primed preparations, HM-5 (34.7 microM) produced a 34% inhibition in endothelium-denuded rings. The same concentration of HM-5 inhibited (by 62.3%) the contractile response to 10 microM phorbol 12, 13-diacetate (PDA), a protein kinase C activator, in Ca2+-free solutions. Taken together, this study showed that the mechanisms of the vasorelaxant effects of HM-5 were distinctly different from those of its parent drug HM-1. The vasorelaxant effect of HM-5 was mediated through opening of potassium channel (4-AP) and altering intracellular calcium by partial inhibition of Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and intracellular Ca2+ stores.     

Synthesis and activity on rat aorta rings and rat pancreatic beta-cells of ring-opened analogues of benzopyran-type potassium channel activators

Ring-opened analogues of dihydrobenzopyran potassium channel openers (PCOs) were prepared and evaluated as putative PCOs on rat aorta rings (myorelaxant effect) and rat pancreatic beta-cells (inhibition of insulin secretion). These derivatives are characterized by the presence of a sulfonylurea, a urea or an amide function. Some compounds bearing an arylurea moiety provoked vasorelaxant effects and a marked inhibition of insulin release. Derivatives bearing a sulfonylurea or an amide function were, however, poorly active on both tissues. Structure-activity relationships and apparent tissue selectivity are discussed.     

Vasorelaxant effects of macrocyclic bis(bibenzyls) from liverworts

Vasorelaxant effects of a series of bis(bibenzyls) from liverworts such as Marchantia polymorpha and Marchantia paleacea on rat aorta demonstrated that they relaxed phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions, which may be mediated through the increased release of NO from endothelial cells as well as opening of K(+) channels, and inhibition of Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCs) and/or receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels (ROCs). Structure-activity relationship based on their structures was discussed. The presence of two aromatic rings which can be connected through two atoms bridge spacer may play an important role for vasorelaxant effect.     

Ferulic acid enhances the vasorelaxant effect of epigallocatechin gallate in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced inflammatory rat aorta

Previously, we demonstrated synergistic enhancement of vasorelaxation by combination treatment with Trp-His and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) in intact rat aorta. The aim of the present study was to determine whether this vasorelaxant synergy could be recapitulated in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced inflammatory rat aorta, and to determine the extent of its modulation by anti-inflammatory phenolic acids. Synergistic enhancement of vasorelaxation in rat aorta by Trp-His and EGCg was significantly attenuated in the presence of TNF-α, an effect that was reversed by the addition of ferulic acid (FA, 250 μM). Moreover, FA markedly enhanced EGCg-induced vasorelaxation, but not Trp-His-induced vasorelaxation, in TNF-α-treated aorta. Structure-activity analysis showed that the unsaturated 2-propenoic moiety and the methoxy group of FA were important for the enhancement of vasorelaxation by EGCg. The stimulation of EGCg-induced vasorelaxation by FA was antagonized by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N^G-monomethyl-l-arginine acetate, while FA enhanced vasorelaxant properties of the endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase activator acetylcholine in TNF-α-treated inflammatory aorta. Moreover, the EGCg-stimulated NO production was also enhanced by FA in TNF-α-treated aorta. These data indicate that stimulation of NO production by FA enhances the vasorelaxant properties of EGCg in TNF-α-induced inflammatory aorta.     

Calmodulin inhibitors suppress calcium signaling from serotonin receptors in smooth muscle cells and abolish vasoconstrictive response on intravenous introduction of serotonin

Comparative study of the effect of calmodulin inhibitors trifluoperazine, W-12, and W-13 and the TRPV1 channel blocker capsazepine on receptor-dependent calcium metabolism in smooth muscle cells of the rat aorta and on the contraction of the isolated rat aorta was performed. Trifluoperazine almost completely abolishes an increase in free cytoplasmic calcium concentration in smooth muscle cells isolated from the rat aorta and smooth muscle cells of the A7r5 line in response to serotonin and does not affect cellular reaction to vasopressin and angiotensin II. W-12 and W-13 also do not attenuate responses to vasopressin and angiotensin II and reduces by two times free cytoplasmic calcium concentration elevation in response to serotonin. The efficiency of calcium metabolism suppression by calmodulin inhibitors correlates with the degree of inhibition of the aorta contractile response to serotonin. It was demonstrated that the inhibitory action of calmodulin antagonists on calcium metabolism in smooth muscle cells and the contractility of the isolated rat aorta during the activation of serotonin vasoconstrictive receptors are realized by a TRPV1-independent mechanism. It was demonstrated in experiments in vivo that trifluoperazine does not influence hypotensive reaction in rats (normally observed in response to intravenous serotonin injection), but removes the hypertensive effect of this neurotransmitter in rats after chronic introduction of dexamethasone. The results obtained confirm the hypothesis (that we previously stated) about the direct involvement of calmodulin in signal transmission from vasoconstrictive serotonin receptors.     

Vasorelaxant effect in rat aortic rings through calcium channel blockage: A preliminary in vitro assessment of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative

The study was undertaken on the basis of several reports in the literature that relaxation of vascular smooth muscles is a good treatment strategy in hypertension, angina and other cardiovascular disorders. Oxadiazoles have been reported to have effect on vascular smooth muscles and calcium influx. The goals of our current in vitro study were to investigate the effect of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative on vascular smooth muscles in rat aorta, and to elucidate the associated signaling pathway. NOX-1 induced a relaxation of vascular smooth muscles in both endothelium intact and denuded rat aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine or phenylephrine or KCl. NOX-1 also significantly antagonized cumulative dose-response effect of norepinephrine, phenylephrine, KCl or calcium with reduction in submaximal contractions. Verapamil, an L-type of calcium channel blocker, effectively attenuated phenylephrine and calcium induced contractions in aortic rings. Incubation with NOX-1 and verapamil did not significantly alter the dose-response curve of phenylephrine or calcium compared to verapamil treatment alone indicating L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockage leads to loss of NOX-1 activity. Hence it can be concluded NOX-1 exhibited vasorelaxant action by inhibiting calcium influx from extracellular space to intracellular space through L-type of calcium channels.     

Vasorelaxant effects of forsythide isolated from the leaves of Forsythia viridissima on NE-induced aortal contraction

Forsythide (F1) isolated from the leaves of Forsythia viridissima (Oleaceae) showed vasorelaxant effects on norepinephrine (NE)-induced contraction of rat aorta with or without endothelium. This compound did not affect contraction induced by high concentration potassium (60 mM K⁺) and phorbol 12,13-diacetate, but inhibited NE-induced contraction in the presence of nicardipine. These results demonstrated the inhibitory effects of F1 on NE-induced vasocontraction presumably due to decrease of calcium influx from extracellular area, which was induced by NE.     

Calcium mobilization as the endothelium-independent mechanism of action involved in the vasorelaxant response induced by the aqueous fraction of the ethanol extract of Albizia inopinata G. P. Lewis (AFL) in the rat aorta.

In a previous work, we demonstrated that, in normotensive rats, AFL induced a marked hypotension due to a decrease in total peripheral resistances (TPR), partially secondary to the release of NO by the endothelium. NO did not, however, account for the total vasodilation produced by AFL in these rats. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of the intracellular calcium mobilization in the vasorelaxant action induced by AFL in the rat aorta. In aorta of normotensive rats AFL (10, 20, 40 and 80 microg/ml) inhibited the sustained contractions induced by KCl (80 and 30 mM) and phenylephrine (Phe, 1 microM) with similar IC50 values (54 +/- 6, 52 +/- 4 and 65 +/- 4 microg/ml, respectively). The relaxing response induced by AFL against Phe-induced contractions was modified significantly by the endothelium removal (IC50 = 132 +/- 23 and 65 +/- 4 microg/ml, endothelium removed and intact endothelium aortic rings, respectively). Nevertheless, removal of the endothelium did not significantly change IC50 values when KCl (30 and 80 mM) was used as the contractile agent. The inhibitory effect induced by AFL on high (64.5 mM) K+-induced contraction was potentiated slightly (p < 0.05) by the decrease (from 2.5 to 0.3 mM, Ca2+) and attenuated by the increase (from 2.5 to 7.5 mM Ca2+) in the external [Ca2+]. In addition, in aortas from normotensive rats, AFL antagonized transient contractions induced in Ca2+-free media induced by 1 microM noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner, but not those induced by 20 mM caffeine. It is suggested that the remaining vasodilator effect of AFL in normotensive rats is probably due to an inhibition of Ca2+ influx and/or inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization from the noradrenaline-sensitive stores.     

TIC4]endomorphins, analogues of endomorphins, have significantly enhanced vasorelaxant effects in rat aorta rings

[Tic(4)]EM1 and [Tic(4)]EM2, new endomorphins (EMs) analogues, caused relaxation of rat aorta rings precontracted with phenylphrine in a concentration-dependent manner and were 240- to 370-fold more potent than EMs. This effect was inhibited by endothelium removal or by incubation with NO synthase inhibitor L-NNA or opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. The results demonstrate that [Tic(4)]EMs have NO- and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects which are mediated by the opioid receptor.     

Glycine-extended adrenomedullin exerts vasodilator effect through amidation in the rat aorta

Human adrenomedullin (hAM) is an endogenous peptide that has potent vasodilator activity. Mature AM is biosynthesized from its intermediate form, glycine-extended AM (AM-gly), by carboxy-terminal amidation. AM-gly is generally considered to be biologically inactive but is a major molecular form in human and rat plasma. The present study demonstrated that recombinant human AM-gly (hAM-gly) elicits potent vasodilator effect on isolated rat aorta. In aortic rings, hAM-gly produced dose-dependent (0.1-100 nM) relaxation in phenylephrine-precontracted strips (pD(2) 8.4+/-0.5). The vasorelaxant potency of hAM-gly was comparable to that of hAM (pD(2) 8.6+/-0.2) but hAM-gly took a significantly (P<0.01) longer time to reach the maximal relaxation compared with hAM (T(max) 23+/-4 vs. 5+/-2 min). Vasorelaxant responses to hAM-gly were abolished by endothelial removal. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and AM(22-52) significantly (P<0.01) reduced the vasodilator effect of hAM-gly. Furthermore, 4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid (PBA), an alpha-amidation enzyme inhibitor, significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the vasorelaxant responses to hAM-gly without any effect on the hAM-induced relaxation, suggesting the possible process of amidation in the rat aorta. We further clarified that the aorta has the ability to convert exogenous hAM-gly to mature hAM and the conversion is inhibited by PBA. These results suggest that the circulating AM-gly may play a role in regulating vascular tone and increased plasma AM-gly may be involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.     

Atrial natriuretic peptide relaxes arterial basal tone induced by coarctation hypertension.

We have investigated the vasorelaxant effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on isolated non-contracted aorta from coarctation hypertensive rats (HR) and the role of endothelium in this vasorelaxant action. After 7-14 days of surgery, mean blood pressure was higher (P < 0.01) in HR compared with sham operated rats (SR), used as the control. ANP (10(-6) mol/l) significantly lowered basal tone in previously unstimulated HR thoracic aortic rings; however, it had no effect in HR abdominal aorta or in SR abdominal and thoracic aorta. Endothelial destruction potentiated the vasorelaxant effect of ANP on basal tone in HR thoracic aorta. A similar potentiation of the ANP-response was observed by pre-treatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 3 x 10(-4) mol/l) or methylene blue (2 x 10(-5) mol/l) in unrubbed HR thoracic aorta. Treatment with calcium-free Krebs + EGTA (2 x 10(-3) mol/l) + sodium nitroprusside (10(-5) mol/l) or calcium-free Krebs significantly decreased basal tone and abolished ANP-response. These effects were observed only in HR thoracic aorta. Similarly, staurosporine (10(-7) mol/l) and calphostin C (10(-6) mol/l), inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), diminished basal tone and abolished the ANP-response in HR thoracic aorta. Acetylcholine (10(-6) mol/l) had a small but significant action on the basal tone of unrubbed HR thoracic aorta. These results demonstrate that ANP has a vasorelaxant effect on aortic basal tone when the vessel is exposed to high blood pressure. Inhibition of ANP effects on basal tone by calcium-free Krebs and PKC antagonists suggests that the HR aorta increases Ca2+-active tone, that modifies the response of vascular smooth muscle to the vasodilating hormone ANP.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation of prenylflavonoids as vasorelaxant and neuroprotective agents

A series of prenylflavonoids with multiple hydroxyl groups were synthesized and evaluated for their vasorelaxant activities against rat aorta rings pre-contracted by phenylephrine (PE), as well as their neuroprotective effects against OGD induced PC12 cell injury. The results indicated that the prenyl group at A-ring of prenylflavonoids, as well as hydroxyl groups at B-ring was important for their activities. (±)Leachianone G 1b, bearing 8-prenyl and 2′,4′-dihydoxyl groups, exhibited the most potent vasorelaxant and neuroprotective effects.     

Xanthorrhizol induces endothelium-independent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta

Xanthorrhizol, a bisabolene isolated from the medicinal plant Iostephane heterophylla, was assayed on rat thoracic aorta rings to elucidate its effect and likely mechanism of action, by measuring changes of isometric tension. Xanthorrhizol (1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 microg/mL) significantly inhibited precontractions induced by KCI-; (60mM), noradrenaline (10(-6) M) or CaCl2 (1.0 mM). Increasing concentrations of external calcium antagonized the inhibitory effect on KCl-induced contractions. The vasorelaxing effect of xanthorrhizol was not affected by indomethacin (10 microM) or L-NAME (100 microM) in intact rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted by noradrenaline, which suggested that the effect was not mediated through either endothelium-derived prostacyclin (PGI2) or nitric oxide release from endothelial cells. Endothelium removal did not affect the relaxation induced by xanthorrhizol on rat thoracic aorta rings, discarding the participation of any substance released by the endothelium. Xanthorrhizol inhibitory effect was greater on KCI- and CaCl2-induced contractions than on those induced by noradrenaline. Xanthorrhizol inhibitory effect in rat thoracic aorta is likely explained for interference with calcium availability by inhibiting calcium influx through both voltage- and receptor-operated channels.     

Suppression of histamine-induced relaxation of rat aorta and calcium signaling in endothelial cells by two-pore channel blocker trans-NED19 and hydrogen peroxide

The blocker of two-pore channels trans-NED19 and hydrogen peroxide were found to inhibit histamine-induced relaxation of rat aorta. The degree of inhibition depended on histamine concentration. The relaxation in response to 1 µM histamine of rat aorta preconstricted with 30 mM KCl, serotonin, or endothelin-1, was completely abolished by 30 µM trans-NED19. On the other hand, trans-NED19 decreased the relaxation of the aorta in the presence of 10 µM histamine only by 2.1to 2.4-fold, and there was almost no inhibition by trans-NED19 of the relaxation induced by 100 µM histamine. Relaxation of preconstricted with serotonin aorta in response to 10 and 100 µM histamine was reduced by hydrogen peroxide (200 µM) by 10and 2.5-fold, respectively. Suppression of aorta relaxation by trans-NED19 and H₂O₂ correlated with their inhibitory effect on the histamine-induced increase in the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. With the use of a fluorescent probe LysoTracker, the cis-NED19 binding sites were demonstrated to be localized in endolysosomes of the endothelial cells. These data indicate that twopore calcium channels participate in the histamine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat aorta. Furthermore, their functional role is exhibited much more clearly at low histamine concentrations. We suggest that hydrogen peroxide evokes depletion of intracellular calcium depots thereby suppressing the response to histamine.     

Effects of hydralazine on guanosine cyclic 3', 5'-monophosphate levels in rat aorta

The mechanism of the vasodilator effect of hydralazine on isolated rat aorta was studied. Results demonstrated that the vasodilator effect of hydralazine was greater on intact aortas than on endothelium-denuded preparations, particularly at low concentrations of between 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM. In addition, hydralazine did not have any effect on cyclic GMP levels. We also found that methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, completely abolished the vasorelaxant action of nitroglycerin but not that of hydralazine. These results indicate that the vasodilator effect of hydralazine was not due to elevating the cyclic GMP levels. On the other hand, hydralazine significantly inhibited both the contractions induced by norepinephrine and/or high-potassium. In conclusion, a part of the vasodilator effect of hydralazine seems to depend on the integrity of the vascular endothelium. However, this vasodilator effect was not associated with any elevation in cyclic GMP level. Thus, the direct vasodilator action of hydralazine may be related to its interference with the movement and/or translocation of calcium across the cell membrane.