• 약학회지
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• 제58권5호
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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.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제24권4호
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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.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.40-45
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• 2021

본 연구의 목적은 켐벨얼리 품종과 머루 품종의 포도 잎을 생육단계별로 채취하여 Q3OG 및 플라보놀 배당체(quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin)의 함량 변화와 혈관 이완 효과를 평가하여 기능성 소재로 활용하기 위한 품질관리 기초 자료를 제공하는 것이다. 포도의 생육단계는 전엽기, 개화기, 결실기, 착색기 및 성숙기로 구분되는데, 산업적으로 포도 잎 원료 확보가 쉬운 결실기, 착색기 및 성숙기 포도 잎을 대상으로 분석했다. 시험 결과 두 품종 모두 생육단계별로 Q3OG 및 플라보놀 배당체 함량의 차이가 있었고, 결실기>성숙기>착색기 순으로 성분들의 함량이 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 생육단계별 혈관 이완 효과는 두 품종 모두 혈관 이완 효과를 보였으며 켐벨얼리 포도 잎이 머루 포도 잎보다 더 좋은 것으로 나타났다. 이는 포도잎 추출물의 기능성 소재 활용 가능성을 보여주었다. 물론, 안타깝게도 Q3OG 및 플라보놀 배당체 성분이 혈관 이완 효과를 대표하는 효능성분은 아닌 것으로 판단되지만, 착색기 포도 잎에 비하여 결실기와 성숙기에 함량이 높은 Q3OG 및 플라보놀 배당체가 지표성분으로 써의 가치는 있다고 판단된다. 따라서 포도 잎을 기능성 원료로 활용 시 Q3OG 및 플라보놀 배당체를 지표성분으로 활용하고, 각 생육단계별 포도 잎 원료를 일정 비율로 혼합하여 사용하면 일정한 효능과 지표성분 함량을 관리하는 방법이 되리라 생각한다.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식품위생안전성학회 2002년도 춘계학술발표대회 및 심포지움
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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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• 제16권3호
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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.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권3호
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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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• 제62권4호
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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.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제38권6호
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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.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제30권2호
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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).

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제17권2호
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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+/.