Mechanisms of the dilator action of the Erigerontis Herba on rat aorta

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance Erigerontis Herba is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and is commonly used for neuroprotection and vascular protection. Aim of study In this study, the vasodilator effects of Erigerontis Herba (DZXX) were investigated using rat isolated aorta rings. Material and method The involvement of endothelium in the vasorelaxation was studied by comparing response of endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aorta rings which precontracted with U46619. The involvement of K+ channels was studied by pretreatment of the aorta rings with various K+ channel inhibitors. The involvement of Ca2+ channel was studied by incubating aorta rings with Ca2+-free solution, primed with U46619 prior to elicit contraction by addition of Ca2+ solution. Results DZXX (0.2-2 mg/ml) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation on U44619-precontracted aorta rings with EC50 of 0.354±0.036 mg/ml. Removal of endothelium or pretreatment with a BKCa inhibitor iberiotoxin, KIR inhibitor barium chloride or Kv inhibitor 4-aminopyridine produced no effect on the DZXX-induced vasorelaxation. However, pretreatment with a KATP inhibitor glibenclamide or a non-selective K+ channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium produced significant inhibition on the DZXX-induced vasorelaxation by 29.9% and 21.3%, respectively. Pretreatment with DZXX (0.4, 1.2 and 2 mg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition on Ca2+-induced vasoconstriction. Conclusions These results suggest that the vasodilator effect of DZXX was endothelium-independent, mediated by decreasing the influx of Ca2+ by calcium channel inhibition and increasing the influx of K+ by opening of a KATP channel.