Nuciferine relaxes rat mesenteric arteries through endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Nuciferine, a constituent of lotus leaf, is an aromatic ring-containing alkaloid, with antioxidative properties. We hypothesize nuciferine might affect vascular reactivity. This study aimed at determining the effects of nuciferine on vasomotor tone and the underlying mechanism

Experimental approach

Nuciferine-induced relaxations in rings of rat main mesenteric arteries were measured by wire myographs. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) was determined by immunoblotting. Intracellular NO production in HUVECs and Ca(2+) level in both HUVECs and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rat mesenteric arteries were assessed by fluorescence imaging.

Key results

Nuciferine induced relaxations in arterial segments pre-contracted by KCl or phenylephrine. Nuciferine

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4667864 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature