ABSTRACT
Some in vitro and in vivo evidence is consistent with the cardiovascular beneficial activity of propolis. As the single actors responsible for this effect have never been identified, an in-depth investigation of flavonoids isolated from the green propolis of the Caatinga Mimosa tenuiflora was performed and their mechanism of action was described. A comprehensive electrophysiology, functional, and molecular docking approach was applied. Most flavanones and flavones were effective CaV1.2 channel blockers with a potency order of (2S)-sakuranetin > eriodictyol-7,3'-methyl ether > quercetin 3-methyl ether > 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavanone > santin > axillarin > penduletin > kumatakenin, ermanin and viscosine being weak or modest stimulators. Except for eriodictyol 5-O-methyl ether, all the flavonoids were also effective spasmolytic agents of vascular rings, kumatakenin and viscosine also showing an endothelium-dependent activity. (2S)-Sakuranetin also stimulated KCa1.1 channels both in single myocytes and vascular rings. In silico analysis provided interesting insights into the mode of action of (2S)-sakuranetin within both CaV1.2 and KCa1.1 channels. The green propolis of the Caatinga Mimosa tenuiflora is a valuable source of multi-target vasoactive flavonoids: this evidence reinforces its nutraceutical value in the cardiovascular disease prevention arena.
Subject(s)
Flavonoids , Molecular Docking Simulation , Propolis , Vasodilator Agents , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Flavonoids/isolation & purification , Flavonoids/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/isolation & purification , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Animals , Propolis/chemistry , Propolis/pharmacology , Mimosa/chemistry , Male , Rats , PhytoalexinsABSTRACT
Until now, the beneficial vascular properties of Hop reported in the literature have been mainly attributed to specific compound classes, such as tannins and phenolic acids. However, the potential vascular action of a Hop subfraction containing a high amount of α or ß acids remains completely understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the vascular effects of the entire Hop extract and to fraction the Hop extract to identify the main bioactive vascular compounds. A pressure myograph was used to perform vascular reactivity studies on mouse resistance arteries. Phytocomplex fractionation was performed on a semi-prep HPLC system and characterized by UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS coupled to mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis was performed to characterize the phosphorylation site enrolled. The entire Hop extract exerts a direct dose-dependent endothelial vascular action. The B1 subfraction, containing a high concentration of α acids, recapitulates the vascular effect of the crude extract. Its vasorelaxant action is mediated by the opening of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4), potentiated by PKCα, and subsequent involvement of endothelial small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SKCa) and intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (IKCa) that drives endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) through heterocellular myoendothelial gap junctions (MEGJs). This is the first comprehensive investigation of the vascular function of Hop-derived α acids in resistance arteries. Overall, our data suggest that the B1 subfraction from Hop extracts, containing only α acids, has great potential to be translated into the useful armamentarium of natural bioactive compounds with cardiovascular benefits.
Subject(s)
Humulus , Plant Extracts , Protein Kinase C-alpha , TRPV Cation Channels , Vasodilator Agents , Humulus/chemistry , Animals , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Protein Kinase C-alpha/metabolism , TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism , Mice , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Male , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , Humans , Vasodilation/drug effects , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
Schwarzinicines A-D, a series of alkaloids recently discovered from Ficus schwarzii, exhibit pronounced vasorelaxant activity in rat isolated aorta. Building on this finding, a concise synthesis of schwarzinicines A and B has been reported, allowing further investigations into their biological properties. Herein, a preliminary exploration of the chemical space surrounding the structure of schwarzinicine A (1) was carried out aiming to identify structural features that are essential for vasorelaxant activity. A total of 57 analogs were synthesized and tested for vasorelaxant activity in rat isolated aorta. Both efficacy (Emax) and potency (EC50) of these analogs were compared. In addition to identifying structural features that are required for activity or associated with potency enhancement effect, four analogs showed significant potency improvements of up to 40.2-fold when compared to 1. Molecular dynamics simulation of a tetrameric 44-bound transient receptor potential canonical-6 (TRPC6) protein indicated that 44 could potentially form important interactions with the residues Glu509, Asp530, Lys748, Arg758, and Tyr521. These results may serve as a foundation for guiding further structural optimization of the schwarzinicine A scaffold, aiming to discover even more potent analogs.
Subject(s)
Vasodilator Agents , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/chemical synthesis , Animals , Structure-Activity Relationship , Rats , Molecular Structure , Ficus/chemistry , Aorta/drug effects , Alkaloids/pharmacology , Alkaloids/chemistry , Male , Molecular Dynamics SimulationABSTRACT
Snake venoms contain various bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs). First studied for their vasorelaxant properties due to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, these molecules present a range of binding partners, among them the argininosuccinate synthase (AsS) enzyme. This has renewed interest in their characterization from biological sources and the evaluation of their pharmacological activities. In the present work, the low molecular weight fraction of Bothrops moojeni venom was obtained and BPPs were characterized by mass spectrometry. Eleven BPPs or related peptides were sequenced, and one of them, BPP-Bm01, was new. Interestingly, some oxidized BPPs were detected. The three most abundant peptides were BPP-Bm01, BPP-Bax12, and BPP-13a, and their putative interactions with the AsS enzyme were investigated in silico. A binding cavity for these molecules was predicted, and docking studies allowed their ranking. Three peptides were synthesized and submitted to vasorelaxation assays using rat aortic rings. While all BPPs were active, BPP-Bm01 showed the highest potency in this assay. This work adds further diversity to BPPs from snake venoms and suggests, for the first time, a putative binding pocket for these molecules in the AsS enzyme. This can guide the design of new and more potent AsS activators.
Subject(s)
Aorta , Bothrops , Oligopeptides , Peptides , Venomous Snakes , Animals , Rats , Brazil , Aorta/drug effects , Peptides/pharmacology , Peptides/chemistry , Bradykinin/pharmacology , Male , Crotalid Venoms/pharmacology , Crotalid Venoms/chemistry , Rats, Wistar , Snake Venoms/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Molecular StructureABSTRACT
Falonolide A (1) and B (2), two novel polyyne hybrid phthalides resulting from unprecedented carbon skeleton polymerized by Z-ligustilide and falcarindiol, along with six new related phthalides (3-8), were isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, computer-assisted structure elucidation (CASE) analysis, DP4+ probability analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1-8 was proposed, and the production mechanism of 2 was revealed by density functional theory (DFT) method. Compounds 4 and 6 exhibited significant vasodilatory activity with EC50 of 8.00 ± 0.86 and 6.92 ± 1.02 µM, respectively. Compound 4 also displayed significant inhibitory effect of NO production with EC50 value of 8.82 ± 0.30 µM. Based on the established compounds library, structure-activity relationship analysis of phthalides was explored to provide insights into the drug development of vasodilators and anti-flammatory.
Subject(s)
Benzofurans , Ligusticum , Phytochemicals , Plant Roots , Ligusticum/chemistry , Plant Roots/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Benzofurans/pharmacology , Benzofurans/isolation & purification , Benzofurans/chemistry , Animals , Structure-Activity Relationship , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Phytochemicals/isolation & purification , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/isolation & purification , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Mice , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Rats , China , Male , RAW 264.7 Cells , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
During the screening of new N2,N4-disubstituted quinazoline 2,4-diamines as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and pulmonary artery vasodilators, one N2-methyl-N4-[(thiophen-2-yl)methyl]quinazoline-2,4-diamine (compound 8) presented a greater selectivity for systemic than pulmonary vasculature. The present study aimed to characterize its vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects in Wistar rats. Vasorelaxant effects of compound 8 and underlying mechanisms were evaluated on isolated mesenteric arteries. Acute hypotensive effect was evaluated in anesthetized rats. Additionally, cell viability and cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities were studied in rat isolated hepatocytes. Nifedipine was used as a comparator. Compound 8 induced a strong vasorelaxant effect, similar to nifedipine. This was unaffected by endothelium removal but was decreased by inhibitors of guanylate cyclase (ODQ) and KCa channel (iberiotoxin). Compound 8 enhanced sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation, but inhibited vasoconstriction evoked by α1-adrenergic receptor activation and extracellular Ca2+ influx via receptor-operated Ca2+ channels. Acute intravenous infusion of compound 8 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) produced hypotension. It showed similar potency to nifedipine for lowering diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, but less so for the effect on systolic blood pressure. Compound 8 had no effect on hepatocyte viability and CYP activities except at high concentration (10 µM) at which a weak inhibitory effect on CYP1A and 3A was observed. In conclusion, this study identified a N2-methyl-N4-[(thiophen-2-yl)methyl]quinazoline-2,4-diamine with a potent vasodilator effect on resistance vessels, leading to an acute hypotensive effect and a low risk of liver toxicity or drug-drug interactions. These vascular effects were mediated mainly through sGC/cGMP pathway, opening of KCa channels, and inhibition of calcium entry.
Subject(s)
Mesenteric Arteries , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/isolation & purification , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Quinazolines/chemistry , Quinazolines/isolation & purification , Quinazolines/pharmacology , Diamines/chemistry , Mesenteric Arteries/chemistry , Hypotension , Male , Animals , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Signal Transduction/drug effectsABSTRACT
Morin is a vasorelaxant flavonoid, whose activity is ascribable to CaV1.2 channel blockade that, however, is weak as compared to that of clinically used therapeutic agents. A conventional strategy to circumvent this drawback is to synthesize new derivatives differently decorated and, in this context, morin-derivatives able to interact with CaV1.2 channels were found by employing the potential of PLATO in target fishing and reverse screening. Three different derivatives (5a-c) were selected as promising tools, synthesized, and investigated in in vitro functional studies using rat aorta rings and rat tail artery myocytes. 5a-c were found more effective vasorelaxant agents than the naturally occurring parent compound and antagonized both electro- and pharmaco-mechanical coupling in an endothelium-independent manner. 5a, the series' most potent, reduced also Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular store sites. Furthermore, 5a≈5c > 5b inhibited Ba2+ current through CaV1.2 channels. However, compound 5a caused also a concentration-dependent inhibition of KCa1.1 channel currents.
Subject(s)
Artificial Intelligence , Calcium Channel Blockers , Calcium Channels, L-Type , Flavonoids , Vasodilation , Vasodilator Agents , Animals , Rats , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Calcium Channel Blockers/chemistry , Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolismABSTRACT
Androsta-1,4-dien-3,16-dione was isolated for the first time from the plant kingdom of the ethanolic extract of the Ravenala madagascariensis' inflorescence by the bio-guided method. Its structure was elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopic data analysis. The vascular effects of ethanol extracts, fractions and androsta-1,4-dien-3,16-dione were assessed on the phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat aorta. The isolated compound exerted the most potent vaso-relaxing effect (EC50 = 109.32 ± 15.82 µM) than the ethanol extract and fractions. The pharmacological mechanism of its vaso-relaxing action was analysed on isolated rat aorta using free-endothelial vascular tissue, specific contracting reagents (CaCl2 and KCl), antagonist (propranolol), enzyme inhibitors (L-NAME, methylene blue) and channel blocker (glibenclamide). Its vaso-relaxing activity could be due, at least partly, to the non-specific inhibition of the calcic influx.
Subject(s)
Strelitziaceae , Vasodilator Agents , Rats , Animals , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Inflorescence , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Ethanol/pharmacology , VasodilationABSTRACT
The nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signaling pathway is an effective mechanism involved in the treatment of hypertension. In our search for potential antihypertensive agents, a series of novel NO-donor derivatives of the 4-chromanone skeleton were designed and synthesized by coupling furoxans or nitrooxy NO-donor moieties. All derivatives showed enhanced nitric oxide releasing capacity and vasodilator activity with EC50 values ranging from 0.0215 µM to 1.46 µM, obviously superior to those of precursor 3. These biological evaluations indicated that all compounds displayed an important vasorelaxant effect, and several compounds (9c, 14b, 14c, 14d) presented good vasodilator activity, with 14c being the best. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies revealed that compound 14c occupied the pocket well with the phosphodiesterase 5 domain in a favorable conformation. In conclusion, we observed that these novel compounds can act as structural templates for the design and subsequent development of new vasodilators and antihypertensive drugs.
Subject(s)
Nitric Oxide , Vasodilator Agents , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Nitric Oxide Donors/chemistry , Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology , Antihypertensive Agents/chemistryABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) is a tree found in the Brazilian savannah, traditionally used to treat several diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. The anti-hypertensive activity of H. speciosa leaves (HSL) has been demonstrated in different models and is credited to the vasodilator effect and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibition. The hypoglycemic effect of HSL has been also reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish correlations between the biological activities elicited by H. speciosa extracts and the contents of their major compounds, aiming to define chemical markers related to the potential antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects of the species. Additionally, it aimed to isolate and characterize the chemical structure of a marker related to the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracts of a single batch of H. speciosa leaves were prepared by extraction with distinct solvents (ethanol/water in different proportions; methanol/ethyl acetate), employing percolation or static maceration as extraction techniques, at different time intervals. The contents of chlorogenic acid, rutin and FlavHS (a tri-O-glycoside of quercetin) were quantified by a developed and validated HPLC-PDA method. Bornesitol was determined by HPLC-PDA after derivatization with tosyl chloride, whereas total flavonoids were measured spectrophotometrically. Identification of other constituents in the extracts was performed by UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The vasorelaxant activity was assayed in rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine, and α-glucosidase inhibition was tested in vitro. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to evaluate the contribution of each marker to the biological responses. Isolation of compound 1 was carried out by column chromatography and structure characterization was accomplished by NMR and UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analyses. RESULTS: The contents of the chemical markers (mean ± s.d. % w/w) varied significantly among the extracts, including total flavonoids (2.68 ± 0.14 to 5.28 ± 0.29), bornesitol (5.11 ± 0.26 to 7.75 ± 0.78), rutin (1.46 ± 0.06 to 1.97 ± 0.02), FlavHS (0.72 ± 0.05 to 0.94 ± 0.14) and chlorogenic acid (0.67 ± 0.09 to 0.91 ± 0.02). All extracts elicited vasorelaxant effect (pIC50 between 4.97 ± 0.22 to 6.48 ± 0.10) and α-glucosidase inhibition (pIC50 between 3.49 ± 0.21 to 4.03 ± 0.10). PCA disclosed positive correlations between the vasorelaxant effect and the contents of chlorogenic acid, rutin, total flavonoids, and FlavHS, whereas a negative correlation was found with bornesitol concentration. No significant correlation between α-glucosidase inhibition and the contents of the above-mentioned compounds was found. On the other hand, PCA carried out with the areas of the ten major peaks from the chromatograms disclosed positive correlations between a peak ascribed to co-eluted triterpenes and α-glucosidase inhibition. A triterpene was isolated and identified as 3-O-ß-(3'-R-hydroxy)-hexadecanoil-lupeol. CONCLUSION: According to PCA results, the vasorelaxant activity of H. speciosa extracts is related to flavonoids and chlorogenic acid, whereas the α-glucosidase inhibition is associated with lipophilic compounds, including esters of lupeol like 3-O-ß-(3'-R-hydroxy)-hexadecanoil-lupeol, described for the first time for the species. These compounds can be selected as chemical markers for the quality control of H. speciosa plant drug and derived extracts.
Subject(s)
Apocynaceae , Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors , Plant Extracts , Angiotensins/analysis , Animals , Antihypertensive Agents/analysis , Apocynaceae/chemistry , Chemometrics , Chlorogenic Acid , Ethanol , Flavonoids/analysis , Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/chemistry , Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Glycosides/analysis , Hypoglycemic Agents/analysis , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Methanol , Pentacyclic Triterpenes , Phenylephrine , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Quercetin/analysis , Rats , Rutin/pharmacology , Solvents , Tandem Mass Spectrometry , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , alpha-GlucosidasesABSTRACT
Using dehydroabietic acid as the lead compound for structural modification, 25 dehydroabietic acid derivatives were synthesized. Among them, compound D1 not only showed the strongest relaxation effect on the aortic vascular ring in vitro (Emax = 99.5 ± 2.1%, EC50 = 3.03 ± 0.96 µM), but also significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in rats at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg in vivo. Next, the vascular protective effect of the best active D1 and its molecular mechanism were further investigated by HUVECs. The results showed that D1 induced endothelium-dependent diastole in the rat thoracic aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. Endothelium removal or aortic ring pretreatment with NG-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and tetraethylammonium (TEA) significantly inhibited D1-induced relaxation. In addition, wortmannin, KT5823, triciribine, diltiazem, BaCl2, 4-aminopyridine, indomethacin, propranolol, and atropine attenuated D1-induced vasorelaxation. D1 increased the phosphorylation of eNOS in HUVECs Furthermore, D1 attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. However, this effect was attenuated by the eNOS inhibitors l-NAME and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). The findings suggest that D1-induced vasorelaxation through the PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO/cGMP/PKG pathway by activating the KCa, Kir and KV channels or muscarinic and ß-adrenergic receptors, and inhibiting the l-type Ca2+ channels, which is closely related to the hypotensive action of the agent. Furthermore, D1 exhibits an inhibitory effect on vascular inflammation, which is associated with the observed vascular protective effects.
Subject(s)
Vasodilation , Vasodilator Agents , Animals , Rats , Aorta, Thoracic , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/metabolism , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Tetraethylammonium/chemistryABSTRACT
Previously, we isolated 2R,3S,15R-calofolic acids (CAs) from Calophyllum scriblitifolium bark, which showed vasorelaxant activity on phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rat aortic rings. Although the effect was suggested to be induced via an extracellular Ca2+-independent manner and mainly acts on vascular smooth muscle, the exact mechanism of action of CAs remained unclear. Thus, this study investigated the detailed mechanism of calofolic acid-A (CA-A) induced vasorelaxation in an aortic ring specimen using rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The levels of PE-induced phosphorylation on MLC Ser19 decreased in VSMCs pretreated with CA-A. CA-A also decreased the phosphorylation of MYPT1 Thr696 and MYPT1 Thr853. On the other hand, CA-A increased the PE-induced phosphorylation of MYPT1 Ser695 and MYPT1 Ser668, which are reported to be phosphorylated by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). CA-A slightly increased PKA substrate phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, CA-A enhanced isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cAMP accumulation and PKA substrate phosphorylation. Treatment with PI-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002, enhanced ISO-induced cAMP accumulation and PKA substrate phosphorylation in the same manner as CA-A treatment. Furthermore, CA-A was found to directly inhibit PI3K enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, the present study indicated that CA-A induces vasorelaxation through an indirectly activated PKA-MYPT1 pathway caused by inhibition of PI3K activity.
Subject(s)
Calophyllum , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors , Vasodilation , Vasodilator Agents , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Calophyllum/chemistry , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism , Isoproterenol/pharmacology , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology , Phenylephrine/metabolism , Phenylephrine/pharmacology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Phosphorylation , Plant Bark/chemistry , Rats , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is a common medicinal herb used to treat cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension. Previously, our lab characterized the chemical compounds of N. jatamansi. However, the bioactive compounds of N. jatamansi and their mechanisms of action on blood pressure and blood vessels are unknown. PURPOSE: The vasorelaxant effects of the methanolic extract (MeOH ext.) of the roots and rhizomes of N. jatamansi, its main compounds, and their underlying mode of action, were investigated. METHODS: The main compounds of N. jatamansi were isolated and identified using UHPLC-TOF MS. The antihypertensive effect of N. jatamansi extracts and (-)-aristolone were determined using spontaneously hypertensive rats. The extracts, fractions, and compounds were also evaluated for their vasorelaxant effects on U46619 contractile responses in isolated thoracic aortic and mesenteric arterial rings. The endothelial-dependent relaxation, as well as the regulatory pathways and targets of (-)-aristolone, were studied in-vitro and ex-vivo. Molecular docking and biophysical characterization (Surface plasmon resonance) studies were utilized to investigate the molecular interaction between (-)-aristolone and the target protein. RESULTS: MeOH ext. (200 mg/kg) reduces the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. MeOH ext. and its ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc Fr.), but not the H2O fraction, had a significant relaxing effect on the thoracic aorta. (-)-aristolone and kanshone H from EtOAc Fr. induced vasorelaxation of the thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, (-)-aristolone treatment upregulated phosphorylation of Akt (T308) and eNOS. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed an interaction between (-)-aristolone and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), an upstream protein kinase that phosphorylates Akt at T308. Treatment with PDK1 inhibitor PHT-427 and eNOS inhibitor L-NAME consistently inhibited (-)-aristolone-induced vasorelaxation. In addition, KATP channel inhibitor glibenclamide dramatically inhibited the vasorelaxant effects of (-)-aristolone and kanshone H in the endothelium-denuded thoracic aorta. Finally, (-)-aristolone lowers hypertensive rats' systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The extracts of N. jatamansi promote vasorelaxation and alleviate hypertension. The essential chemicals responsible for producing vasorelaxation effects are (-)-aristolone and kanshone H, which activate the PDK1-Akt-eNOS-NO relaxing pathway and stimulate the opening of the KATP channel. These findings point to N. jatamansi and aristolone as possible antihypertensive agents.
Subject(s)
Hypertension , Nardostachys , Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism , Animals , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Aorta, Thoracic , Cyclopropanes , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular , Humans , Hypertension/metabolism , Molecular Docking Simulation , Nardostachys/chemistry , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Inbred SHR , Tetrahydronaphthalenes , Vasodilation , Vasodilator Agents/chemistryABSTRACT
Senecio nutans Sch. Bip. and its constituents are reported to have antihypertensive effects. We isolated metabolite−1, a natural compound from S. nutans (4-hydroxy-3-(isopenten-2-yl)-acetophenone), and synthesized novel oxime − 1 (4-hydroxy-3-(isopenten-2-yl)-acetophenoxime) to evaluate their effect on vascular reactivity. Compounds were purified (metabolite−1) or synthetized (oxime−1) and characterized using IR and NMR spectroscopy and Heteronuclear Multiple Quantum Coherence (HMQC). Using pharmacological agents such as phenylephrine (PE) and KCl (enhancing contraction), acetylcholine (ACh), L-NAME (nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial function), Bay K8644-induced CaV1.2 channel (calcium channel modulator), and isolated aortic rings in an organ bath setup, the possible mechanisms of vascular action were determined. Pre-incubation of aortic rings with 10−5 M oxime−1 significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the contractile response to 30 mM KCl. EC50 to KCl significantly (p < 0.01) increased in the presence of oxime−1 (37.72 ± 2.10 mM) compared to that obtained under control conditions (22.37 ± 1.40 mM). Oxime−1 significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the contractile response to different concentrations of PE (10−7 to 10−5 M) by a mechanism that decreases Cav1.2-mediated Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space and reduces Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. At a submaximal concentration (10−5 M), oxime−1 caused a significant relaxation in rat aorta even without vascular endothelium or after pre-incubate the tissue with L-NAME. Oxime−1 decreases the contractile response to PE by blunting the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and blocking of Ca2+ influx by channels. Metabolite−1 reduces the contractile response to KCl, apparently by reducing the plasma membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. These acetophenone derivates from S. nutans (metabolite−1 and oxime−1) cause vasorelaxation through pathways involving an increase of the endothelial NO generation or a higher bioavailability, further highlighting that structural modification of naturally occurring metabolites can enhance their intended pharmacological functions.
Subject(s)
Biological Products , Senecio , Acetophenones/pharmacology , Animals , Aorta, Thoracic , Biological Products/pharmacology , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Oximes/pharmacology , Phenylephrine/pharmacology , Rats , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Puerarin, a bioactive flavonoid found in the root of Pueraria lobata, is claimed to possess various medicinal properties. However, application of puerarin in functional foods is currently limited by its poor bioaccessibility. Existing delivery systems that guarantee puerarin bioaccessibility involve complex preparation steps and safety issues. Therefore, this study aimed to use meat protein and olive oil to efficiently and economically fabricate a food grade high internal phase Pickering emulsion (HIPPE) with co-encapsulated puerarin and ß-carotene to improve the bioaccessibility of puerarin. Moreover, the impact on lipid digestibility and puerarin bioaccessibility was verified using a simulated in vitro gastrointestinal tract. Co-encapsulating puerarin and ß-carotene in HIPPE increased puerarin bioaccessibility (85.17%) compared to that achieved with only puerarin in HIPPE (62.66%). This increased bioaccessibility may have been due to the personalized formulation and the exceptional structure of the HIPPE, which slowed down lipid digestion and inhibited puerarin degradation. A synergistic interaction occurred between ß-carotene and HIPPE to improve puerarin bioaccessibility. Our results have important implications for the design of effective delivery systems for encapsulation of puerarin and other bioactive components.
Subject(s)
Digestion/drug effects , Functional Food , Isoflavones/pharmacology , Pueraria , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , beta Carotene/pharmacology , Animals , Biological Availability , Drug Synergism , Emulsions , Isoflavones/chemistry , Models, Animal , Particle Size , Plant Roots , Swine , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , beta Carotene/chemistryABSTRACT
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction characterized by impaired of pulmonary circulation. Current therapeutic drugs mainly act as vasodilators, leading to an unsatisfactory prognosis. The Rho/ROCK pathway plays an important role in the cardiovascular system. DL0805-1, a novel Rho kinase inhibitor, synthesized by our institute and showed a protective effect on lung tissues and reduced right ventricular systolic pressure in a hypertensive crisis rat model in our previous study. The present study aims to explore the efficacy of DL0805-1 on PH. The classical PH rat model induced by a single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline was used to investigate the therapeutic effect of DL0805-1 on PH and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that the high dose of DL0805-1 had a better effect on the survival rate and controlled right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of PH rats than fasudil. DL0805-1 also exhibited a superior lung protective effect and significantly improved pulmonary vascular function compared with bosentan. Regarding molecular mechanisms, DL0805-1 inhibited the ROCK pathway in both pulmonary arteries and lung tissues. Taken together, DL0805-1 alleviated lung injury and vasculopathy in experimental PH rats. DL0805-1 has the potential to be developed as a candidate drug for the treatment of PH.
Subject(s)
Hypertension, Pulmonary/prevention & control , Indazoles/pharmacology , Nitriles/pharmacology , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Pulmonary Artery/drug effects , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , rho-Associated Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/analogs & derivatives , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/chemistry , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/pharmacology , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/therapeutic use , Animals , Bosentan/chemistry , Bosentan/pharmacology , Bosentan/therapeutic use , Disease Models, Animal , Indazoles/chemistry , Indazoles/therapeutic use , Male , Monocrotaline , Nitriles/chemistry , Nitriles/therapeutic use , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the synthesis and potential vasodilator effect of a novel ruthenium complex, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(2-MIM)(NO2)]PF6 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and 2-MIM = 2-methylimidazole) (FOR711A), containing an imidazole derivative via an in silico molecular docking model using ß1 H-NOX (Heme-nitric oxide/oxygen binding) domain proteins of reduced and oxidized soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). In addition, pharmacokinetic properties in the human organism were predicted through computational simulations and the potential for acute irritation of FOR711A was also investigated in vitro using the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM). FOR711A interacted with sites of the ß1 H-NOX domain of reduced and oxidized sGC, demonstrating shorter bond distances to several residues and negative values of total energy. The predictive study revealed molar refractivity (RM): 127.65; Log Po/w = 1.29; topological polar surface area (TPSA): 86.26 Å2; molar mass (MM) = 541.55 g/mol; low solubility, high unsaturation index, high gastrointestinal absorption; toxicity class 4; failure to cross the blood-brain barrier and to react with cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. After the HET-CAM assay, the FOR711A complex was classified as non-irritant (N.I.) and its vasodilator effect was confirmed through greater evidence of blood vessels after the administration and ending of the observation period of 5 min. These results suggest that FOR711A presented a potential stimulator/activator effect of sGC via NO/sGC/cGMP. However, results indicate it needs a vehicle for oral administration.
Subject(s)
Coordination Complexes/chemistry , Nitric Oxide/chemistry , Ruthenium/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Chickens , Chorioallantoic Membrane/metabolism , Heme/chemistry , Humans , Imidazoles/chemistry , Molecular Docking Simulation/methods , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Oxygen/chemistry , Protein Domains , Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase/chemistry , Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase/metabolismABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common form of sexual dysfunction which has been the topic of great interest through the history by all cultures. It is now among the most treated health problems in men of all ages that develop under the influence of lifestyle factors and some diseases. Plants are extensively used to cure sexual dysfunction for centuries. Roots of Prangos sp. have been used to improve sexual performance in Anatolian traditional medicine and are rich of coumarin, furanocoumarin and their derivatives. Scientific research is necessary to support and validate the ethno-traditional uses of these plants. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the root extracts of P. pabularia, P. uechtritzii and P. heyniae on erectile function and to isolate and identify the chemical compounds of the most active extract and reveal possible pharmacological mechanism of the major compound of the extract with the strongest relaxant effect in mouse corpus cavernosum (MCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The roots of plants were extracted with chloroform, n-hexane and methanol. The compounds were isolated from the extract by column chromatography and structures were identified by NMR and MS. The relaxant effects of extracts (10-7-10-4 g/mL), (+)-oxypeucedanin (10-7-10-4 M) and Na2S (10-7-3 × 10-3 M) were tested in MCC strips by DMT myograph. To investigate the mechanism, the synthesis inhibitors of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, 10-2 M) and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10-4 M) were used, respectively. H2S formation was evaluated basal and L-cysteine (L-cyst)-stimulated conditions by H2S microsensor. RESULTS: All extracts relaxed MCC in a concentration dependent manner. The maximum relaxing effects were achieved with chloroform extracts. Chloroform extract of P. pabularia (Pp-CE) was more potent than the others. Pp-CE-induced relaxations were significantly decreased by AOAA and L-NAME. (+)-Oxypeucedanin, the major compound of Pp-CE, induced relaxant responses and this effect was inhibited by AOAA, but not L-NAME. The relaxation of (+)-oxypeucedanin was found to be similar in view of Emax to positive control H2S donor Na2S. (+)-Oxypeucedanin increased L-cyst-stimulated H2S formation. Augmentation of H2S synthesis with (+)-oxypeucedanin was inhibited by AOAA. CONCLUSIONS: Pp-CE has the strongest effect on relaxation of MCC and this result supports the traditional aphrodisiac use of P. pabularia root extract in Anatolia. The pharmacological mechanisms of Pp-CE to relax MCC involve NO and H2S formation. (+)-Oxypeucedanin could be responsible for the H2S-mediated relaxations of Pp-CE in MCC.
Subject(s)
Apiaceae/chemistry , Furocoumarins/pharmacology , Penis/blood supply , Phytotherapy , Plant Roots/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Furocoumarins/chemistry , Male , Mice , Species Specificity , Vasodilator Agents/chemistryABSTRACT
Lectins are a class of proteins or glycoproteins capable of recognizing and interacting with carbohydrates in a specific and reversible manner. Owing to this property, these proteins can interact with glycoconjugates present on the cell surface, making it possible to decipher the glycocode, as well as elicit biological effects, such as inflammation and vasorelaxation. Here, we report a structural and biological study of the mannose/glucose-specific lectin from Dioclea lasiophylla seeds, DlyL. The study aimed to evaluate in detail the interaction of DlyL with Xman and high-mannose N-glycans (MAN3, MAN5 and MAN9) by molecular dynamics (MD) and the resultant in vitro effect on vasorelaxation using rat aortic rings. In silico analysis of molecular docking was performed to obtain the initial coordinates of the DlyL complexes with the carbohydrates to apply as inputs in MD simulations. The MD trajectories demonstrated the stability of DlyL over time as well as different profiles of interaction with Xman and N-glycans. Furthermore, aortic rings assays demonstrated that the lectin could relax pre-contracted aortic rings with the participation of the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and nitric oxide (NO) when endothelial tissue is preserved. These results confirm the ability of DlyL to interact with high-mannose N-glycans with its expanded CRD, supporting the hypothesis that DlyL vasorelaxant activity occurs primarily through its interaction with cell surface glycosylated receptors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Subject(s)
Dioclea , Animals , Carbohydrates/chemistry , Dioclea/chemistry , Dioclea/metabolism , Lectins , Mannose/chemistry , Molecular Docking Simulation , Plant Lectins/analysis , Plant Lectins/chemistry , Plant Lectins/pharmacology , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Rats , Seeds/chemistry , Seeds/metabolism , Vasodilator Agents/analysis , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacologyABSTRACT
From unstable crystals to relatively stable monohydrate crystals, many researchers have been working on S-nitrosocaptopril for more than two decades. S-nitrosocaptopril monohydrate (Cap-NO·H2O) is a novel crystal form of S-nitrosocaptopril (Cap-NO), and is not only a nitric oxide (NO) donor, but also an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). Yet, a method for long-term storage has never been reported. In order to determine the optimal storage conditions, Plackett-Burman (PB) design was performed to confirm the critical factors. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine the optimal Cap-NO·H2O storage condition, based on the rough interval determined by the path of steepest ascent experiment. The optimized storage condition was denoted as nitrogen purity of 97%, temperature of -10 °C and 1.20 g deoxidizer. In this case, a final preservation rate of 97.91 ± 0.59% could be obtained. In specific storage conditions, Cap-NO·H2O was found to be stable for at least 6 months in individual PE package, procreating a potentially applicable avenue.