• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.337-342
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• 2014

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of diosgenin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. We hypothesized that diosgenin, the primary ingredient of Dioscorea villosa, plays a role in vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae. Denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric tensions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Interestingly, diosgenin inhibited fluoride-induced contraction but didn't inhibit phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting that additional pathways different from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis such as inhibition of Rho-kinase might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Furthermore, diosgenin didn't inhibit thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism excluding inhibition of thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. This study provides evidence that diosgenin induces vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.82-86
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• 2003

Objective : To examine the inhibition of 5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) induced vasocontraction of the water extract of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms roots (ASR) on rat thoracic Aorta and mesenteric artery with and without endothelium. Methods : Segments of thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery obtained from rats immediately after delivery were mounted in organ baths superfused on a polygraph. Results : We found that the thoracic aorta segments responded to the water extract of ASR with a dose-dependent and concentration-dependent vasorelaxation. 5-HT produced a concentration-dependent contraction of the thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery. At high concentrations of ASR, the inhibition responses were 93.7% (Jang-su), 93.5% (Heok-ryong-kang-sung), 92.8% (Mt. Back-doo), and 83.5% (Yeon-byun) of the maximum 5-HT induced contraction. At high concentrations of ASR, the relaxational response at thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery wi1h endothelium were 95.2% and 94.6%; without endothelium were 93.5% and 92.5% of 1he maximum 5-HT induced contraction. Conclusions : In conclusion, the effect of water extract of ASR had potent inhibition at 5-HT and the effect of ASR in isolated thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery showed dose-dependent inhibition but endothelium-independent response.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2021

Prior studies of physiologically active substances in grapes have focused only on the fruit, pericarp, and branches, as well as the pulp and seeds. The present study assessed the changes in quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3OG) and flavonol glycoside content using grape leaves from Vitis labruscana B. and V. coignetiae at different growth stages and provided basic data for quality control. Content analysis showed that both varieties differed in Q3OG and flavonol glycoside content by growth stage, and the components were found to be high in the order of fruit, maturation, and coloration. Also, Vitis labruscana B. has a better vascular relaxation effect than Vitis coignetiae. These results suggest that in the use of grape leaves as a functional raw material, Q3OG and flavonol glycosides can be used as indicator components. In addition, if raw materials for each growth stage are mixed in a particular ratio, it will be a way to manage the specific efficacy and content of indicator components.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.137-137
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• 2002

Several epidemiologidal studies suggested that arsenic exposure was strongly correlated with the development of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension. In order to examine whether arsenic affects vasomotor tone in blood vessels, we investigated the effect of arsenic on agonist-induced vasorelaxation using the isolated rat aortic ring in in vitro organ bath system. Treatment with arsenite inhibited acetylcholine-induced relaxation of aortic rings in a concentration- dependent manner. The inhibitory effects by arsenic were also observed in the relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside, a NO-donor. Consistent with these findings, the cGMP levels stimulated by acetylcholine in blood vessels were reduced significantly by arsenite treatment. In addition, higher concentration of arsenite decreased the relaxation by 8-Br-cGMP, a cGMP analog, in aortic rings without endothelium. These in vitro results indicated that arsenite that arsenite was capable of suppressing acetylcholine-induced relaxation in blood vessels by inhibiting production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells and by impairing the relaxation machinary in smooth muscle cells. In vivo studies revealed that the reduction of blood pressure by acetylcholine infusion was signigicantly suppressed after arsenite was administered intravenously to rate. These data suggest that vasomotor tone impaired by arsenite exposure may be one of the contrbuting factors in development of cardiovascular disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2008

The present study was undertaken to determine whether hypoxia influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Hypoxia significantly inhibited fluoride-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function, but there was no relaxation on thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619-induced contraction suggesting that other pathway such as $Ca^{2+}$ entry or thin filament regulation was not affected. In addition, hypoxia significantly decreased fluoride-induced increase of phospho-myosin-targeting subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase (pMYPT1). Interestingly, hypoxia didn't inhibit significantly phenylephrine-induced contraction suggesting that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activity or thin filament regulation is less important on the hypoxia-induced vasorelaxation in the denuded muscle than Rho-kinase activity. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the vasodilation effect of hypoxia on the agonist-specific contraction in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.797-801
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• 2005

While conducting an in vitro screening of various medicinal plant extracts, an aqueous extract of Rosa rugosa Radix (ARR) was found to exhibit a distinct vasorelaxant activity. ARR induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta. This effect disappeared with the removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the aortic tissues with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) completely inhibited the relaxation induced by ARR. ARR-induced vascular relaxations were also markedly attenuated by addition of diltiazem or verapamil. However, the relaxant effect of ARR was not blocked by pretreatment with indomethacine, tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide, atropine, or propranolol. Taken together, the present study suggests that ARR dilates vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent NO/cGMP signaling.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.425-431
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• 2019

Platelet activation is essential for hemostatic process on blood vessel damage. However, excessive platelet activation can cause some cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction. Scoparone is commonly encountered in the roots of genus Artemisia or Scopolia, and has been studied for its potential pharmacological properties including immunosuppression and vasorelaxation, but antiplatelet effects of scoparone have not been reported yet. We investigated the effect of scoparone on human platelet activation prompted by an analogue of thromboxane A₂, U46619. As the results, scoparone dose-dependently increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels as well as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, both being aggregation-inhibiting molecules. In addition, scoparone strongly phosphorylated inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), substrates of cAMP dependent kinase and cGMP dependent kinase. Phosphorylation of IP₃R by scoparone resulted in inhibition of Ca²⁺ mobilization in calcium channels in a dense tubular system, and phosphorylation of VASP by scoparone led to an inability of fibrinogen being able to bind to αIIb/β3. Finally, scoparone inhibited thrombin-induced fibrin clotting, thereby reducing thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that scoparone has a strong antiplatelet effect and is highly probable to prevent platelet-derived vascular disease.

• 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).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.461-466
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• 2003

The primary mechanism of smooth muscle contraction is phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chains(LC20) by a myosin light chain kinase(MLCK). Relaxation, then, is generally the result of dephosphorylation of LC20 by myosin phosphatase(MP). Changes in MP activity is one of the important mechanisms in the regulation of Ca2+-sensitivity. Inhibition of MP activity is linked to an increase in phosphorylated myosin light chain(MLC) without an increase in [Ca/sup 2+/]i-levels. It is now generally accepted that Rho-kinase phosphorylates 130 kDa regulatory and myosin binding subunits(M130, MYPT) of MP, which results in an inhibition of MP activity. In addition Rho-kinase can also directly phosphorylate MLC. In the present study, LC20 phosphorylation and MP subunits translocation to the cell membrane were investigated in freshly isolated ferret portal vein smooth muscle single cells treated with PGF2α. We also examined the effect of Y27632(10-5mol/L), Rho-kinase inhibitor, in the MP subunits localization to compare with butanol fraction of Fructus Crataegi in its effect. Butanol fraction of Fructus Crataegi(BFFC; 1㎎/㎖) was more effective in PGF2α induced contraction than those of phenylephrine in its vasodilation effect. It significantly(P<0.05) dephosphorylated the LC20 at time indicated. In addition, the dissociation of subunits are inhibited by BFCF treatment. The results indicate that, in the smooth muscle cells, the relaxation effect of BFFC is associated with increase of MP activity based on inhibition of dissociation of the catalytic and targeting subunits of the phosphatase, and thus decrease the sensitivity of LC20 phosphorylation for Ca/sup 2+/.