• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.730-737
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate vasorelaxant effect of Epimedium koreanum(EK) extract on rabbit carotid artery. In this study, to determine vasorelaxant effect of EK extract on rabbit carotid artery, arterial rings with intact or damaged endothelium were used for experiment using organ bath, and were contracted by norepinephrine(NE). After being contracted, arterial rings were treated with EK extract in a dose-dependent manner To study its mechanism, the contracted arterial rings induced by NE were pretreated with indomethacin(IM), $N_{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB) or tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA) and 0.1 $mg/m{\ell}$ EK extract was added. To analyze the effect of the EK extract on influx of extracellular calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) in rabbit carotid artery, in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, krebs solution containing 1 mM $Ca^{2+}$ was infused into the contracted arterial ring by NE after pretreatment of EK extract. To measure the cytotoxicity of the EK extract, cell viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) was measured by Griess reagent. The EK extract significantly was relaxed the arterial ring with intact endothelium contracted by NE, but the vasorelaxant effect of the EK extract was inhibited in the arterial rings with damaged endothelium. The vasorelaxant effect of the EK extract was not different between the IM-pretreatedand and non-treated arterial rings. The vasorelaxant effect of EK extract were significantly inhibited, when arterial rings were pretreated with L-NNA, TEA, MB. And in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, increasing of arterial contraction by $Ca^{2+}$ addition were also inhibited by the treatment of EK, but not significant. The treatment of EK extract was increased NO concentration in HUVEC. This study suggested that the vasorelaxant effect of EK extract would be related with EDHF and NO production and increasing of cyclic GMP.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2010

Objectives : The root and rhizome of "Gangwhal" have been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of cold, fever, headache, swelling, arthritis, rhinitis, and cardiovascular diseases in Korea and china. In china, Gangwhal is well known as a useful oriental medicinal plant that treats cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, headache and hypertension, but little research exists about the effect of O. koreanum on cardiovascular disease. Therefore we investigated the vasorelaxant effects of O. koreanum and compared the vasorelaxant effects of four species of Gangwhal. Methods : The vasorelaxant effects of the ethanol extracts of Ostericum koreanum (NK and BK), Notopterygium incisium (NI), and N. forbesii (NF) on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. The vasorelaxant effects of the water extract and ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. And the vasorelaxant effects of chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. Results : Ethanol extracts of NK, BK, NI and NF relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings with a concentration-dependent manner, and NK showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect. And ethanol extract of NK was much more effective than water extract of NK. Finally, chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK also relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings, and chloroform fraction showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.53-60
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• 2023

Objectives : The objective of present study was to investigate the vasorelaxant effects of 10 traditional Korean Herbal Prescriptions (KHP) on isolated rat thoracic aorta precontracted with potassium chloride (KCl). Methods : An electric extractor was used to extract KHP in distilled water for 3h. Rat aorta rings were isolated and were precontracted using KCl in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs Henseleit (KH) buffer. KHP extracts were added in increasing concentrations (10-1000 ㎍/㎖) to investigate vasorelaxant effects. The vasorelaxant responses induced by KHP were expressed as a percentage in response to contraction generated by KCl. Results : Among the 10 KHP, Gamisoyo-san, Galgeun-tang, Gyeji-tang, Gwakhyangjeonggi-san, Daeyoung-jeon, and Socheongryong-tang showed significant vasorelaxant effect at high concentration. In contrast, Gyejibokryeong-hwan constricted more the aorta rings precontracted by KCl. And Gumiganghwal-tang, Guibi-tang, Saengmaek-san showed no significant effect. Also, rat aorta rings treated with Gyejibokryeong-hwan or Gyeji-tang after pre-relaxation by amlodipine did not cause any significant change. Conclusion : Thus, these results provide the experimental evidence as useful herbal prescriptions for the treatment of hypertension and suggest guidelines in conjunction with other western drugs, including amlodipine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2016

This study is conducted to investigate vasorelaxant effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on rabbit carotid artery. To determine vasorelaxant effect of CF on rabbit carotid artery, arterial sections with intact or removed endothelium were used in this organ bath study. After being contracted by phenylephrine(PE), arterial sections were treated with CF extract in a dose-dependent manner. To identity its mechanism, the contracted arterial sections by PE were pretreated with indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), Nω-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA) or methylene blue(MB) and 1.0 ㎎/㎖ CF extract. We also studied to confirm the effect on influx of extracellular calcium chloride(Ca²⁺) of the CF extract in rabbit carotid artery. To measure the cytotoxicity of the CF extract, cell viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay. Generation of nitric oxide(NO) was also measured by Griess reagent. The arterial sections with intact endothelium were relaxed significantly by CF extract, but this effect was inhibited in the arterial sections with damaged endothelium. The vasorelaxant effect was inhibited significantly when arterial sections were pretreated with IM, TEA, L-NNA, MB. In Ca²⁺-free krebs solution, increasing of arterial contraction by Ca²⁺ was also inhibited by CF significantly. The treatment of CF extract increased NO concentration in HUVEC. This study suggested that the vasorelaxant effect of CF extract would be related with endothelium derived relaxing factor(EDRF) such as NO, prostacyclin(PGI₂), endothelium derived hyperpolarization factor(EDHF).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 1990

The vasorelaxant effects of KR-30075 in guinea-pig pulmonary, bovine coronary and renal arterial strips contracted by either$K^+$depolarization, phenylephrine, or prostaglandin $F_{2a}$($PGF_{2a}$) were evaluated. KR-30075 was more potent than imazodan as a vasorelaxant against $PGF_{2a}$-induced contractions in bovine coronary and renal arteries, whereas against$K^+$induced contractions KR-30075 was less potent than imazodan in guieapig pulmonary arteries and more potent in bovine coronary arteries. KR-30075 was more potent against contractions induced by phenylephrine or $PGF_{2a}$ than the contractions induced by $K^+$ This profile of activity for KR-30075 was similar to that of imazodan and dissimilar from the calcium entry blocking agent nifedipine. There was no vascular selectivity of KR-30075 between bovine coronary and renal arterial strip preparations. In conclusion, this study shows that KR-30075 represents the vasorelaxant effects on guinea-pig pulmonary, bovine coronary and renal arteries without specific vascular selectivity. The vasorelaxant profile of KR-30075, with different sources of vascular smooth muscle, is unlike that of calcium entry blocking agent and more similar to the profile of the agent that inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2024

Objectives : High blood pressure (also called Hypertension), which is the blood pressure that is higher than normal, is a chronic disease and causes various complications. Historically, Traditional Herbal Prescriptions (THP) have treated many diseases. However, there are not many studies on the treatment of hypertension with THP, very few studies have investigated the interactions between the co-administration of synthetic anti-hypertensives and THP. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activities of 10 THP in rat thoracic aortas pre-contracted with potassium chloride (KCl). Methods : An electric extractor was used to extract THP in distilled water for 2h. Rat thoracic aortas were isolated and pre-contracted using KCl in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs Henseleit (KH) buffer. THP extracts were added in increasing concentrations (10-1000 ㎍/mL) to investigate vasorelaxant activities. The vasorelaxant activities induced by THP were expressed as a percentage in response to contraction generated by KCl. Results : Among the 10 THP, Dangguisu-san, Mahwang-tang, Bulwhangeumjeonggi-san, Jakyakgamcho-tang, and Hyangsapyeongwi-san showed significant vasorelaxant activities. Maekmundong-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Samryeongbaekchul-san, Yukmijihwang-tang, and Insampaedok-san showed no significant effect. Also, in co-administration with amlodipine, Mahwang-tang showed higher vasorelaxant activities than amlodipine alone, and Hyangsapyeongwi-san showed greater vasorelaxant activities at low concentrations but inhibited amlodipine's vasorelaxant activities at high concentrations. Conclusion : The results of these experiments are expected to provide useful data to establish guidelines for THPs and co-administration with western antihypertensive drugs to treat hypertension.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1085-1087
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• 2010

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2007

Purpose: Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Ecliptae Herba has long been used for clinical therapy associated especially with menopausal symptoms in Korea. To provide a scientific rationale for such use, we have investigated the antioxidant and vasorelaxant effects of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Ecliptae Herba and its mixture. Methods: The antioxidant activity of the extracts from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Ecliptae Herba and its mixture were evaluated and compared with that of BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), vitamin C and vitamin E, using the ${\alpha}$,${\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$ (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Results: Antioxidant activity of all extracts using the DPPH radical scavenging method decreased in the order vitamin C>BHA>vitamin E>Ligustri Lucidi Fructus>Ligustri Lucidi Fructus:Ecliptae Herba(1:1)>Ecliptae Herba>BHT. The vasorelaxant effects of extracts were investigated on the vasomotor tone of the rat thoracic aorta in an organ bath. All of the extracts elicited along-term relaxing response in the endothelium-intact as well as endothelium-denuded rat aorta contracted with norepinephrine. This relaxant effect was abolished by Precontraction with 72 mM KCI. Thus, it is suggested that the mechanism of vasorelaxant effect of extracts not involve voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocking but receptor-mediated route. Conclusion: These antioxidant and vasorelaxant effecs of the extracts may contribute to the beneficial effects in postmenopausal women.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.515-522
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• 2004

The vasorelaxant effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine was investigated in rat isolated thoracic aorta. Fluoxetine induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) and KCl. These relaxations were suppressed by removal of the endothelium (-E) or pretreatment of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-Larginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue (MB) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings. However, fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by pretreatment of $K^{+}$ channel blockers, tetrabutylammonium and glibenclamide, in PE-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) rings. The fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of LNNA and MB in KCl-precontracted +E rings. Also, fluoxetine inhibited PE-induced sustained contraction in +E rings. These inhibitory effects of fluoxetine on contractions could be reversed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of L-NNA, L-NAME, MB, ODQ, nifedipine and verapamil, but not by pretreatment of etrabutylammonium and glibenclamide. These findings suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of fluoxetine is modulated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with an involvement of endothelial NO-cGMP pathway and also may be related to the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.78-78
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• 1992