Investigation of the mechanisms of Angelica dahurica root extract-induced vasorelaxation in isolated rat aortic rings

Abstract

BackgroundThe root of Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker (Umbelliferae) has been used as a traditional medicine for colds, headache, dizziness, toothache, supraorbital pain, nasal congestion, acne, ulcer, carbuncle, and rheumatism in China, Japan, and Korea. Interestingly, it has been used in the treatment of vascular diseases including hypertension. The aim of this study was to provide pharmacological evidence for the anti-hypertensive effect of A. dahurica by investigating the mechanism underlying its vasorelaxant effect.MethodsThe vasorelaxant effects of a 70 % methanol extract of the A. dahurica root (ADE) on rat thoracic aorta and its underlying mechanisms were assessed. Isolated rat aortic rings were suspended in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution and placed between 2 tungsten stirrups and connected to an isometric force transducer. Changes in tension were recorded via isometric transducers connected to a data acquisition system.ResultsADE causes concentration-dependent relaxation in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (PE; 1 μM) or potassium (KCl; 60 mM) in K-H solution. And pre-treatment with ADE (1 mg/ml) inhibited calcium-induced vasocontraction of aortic rings induced by PE or KCl. However, ADE pre-treatment did not affect the contraction induced by PE or caffeine in Ca2+-free K-H solution.ConclusionsThese results suggested that the ADE has vasorelaxant effect and the vasorelaxant activity is mediated by endothelium-independent pathway that includes the blockade of extracellular calcium influx through the receptor-operated Ca2+ channel and voltage-dependent calcium channel pathways.

Thirteen-Week Oral Toxicity Study of HVC1 in Rats

“…The HPLC analysis was performed at room temperature, at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min, and for a duration of 100 min using the same equipment used in the previous study [16]. The injection volume was 10 μ L. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (HPLC grade, J.T.…”

Activating the pregnane X receptor by imperatorin attenuates dextran sulphate sodium‐induced colitis in mice

“…Angelica dahurica Radix is a traditional Chinese medicine that is commonly used as a herbal anti‐inflammatory medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases and intestinal disorders (Lee et al ., ; Hwang et al ., ). In particular, in long‐term clinical observations, A. dahurica Radix has been shown to substantially ameliorate the swelling and atrophic spots of colonic mucosal membranes in patients with colitis (Hwang et al ., ).…”

Simultaneous Determination of Three Furanocoumarins by UPLC/MS/MS: Application to Pharmacokinetic Study of Angelica dahurica Radix after Oral Administration to Normal and Experimental Colitis-Induced Rats

“…Angelica dahurica Radix (ADR; ‘Baek-ji’ in Korean, ‘Bai-zhi’ in Chinese) is a common ingredient in traditional formulas in Korean and Chinese pharmacopeia, such as Gumiganghwal-tang and Oyaksungi-san. In traditional oriental medicine, ADR has been used as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine to treat respiratory diseases (e.g., common cold, nasal congestion), dermal disorders (e.g., acne, ulcer, carbuncle), pain (e.g., headache, toothache, rheumatism), and intestinal disorders (e.g., diarrhea, dysentery, chronic ulcerative colitis) [ 1 , 2 ]. In modern pharmacological studies, ADR has also shown anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthma, anti-hypertensive, and anti-cancer properties [ 3 ].…”