biostudies-literatureHaam CEMyoung-Sun Kim Memorial Foundation2711https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9104054biostudies-literatureUnknown27(9)<h4>Background</h4><i>Alpinia officinarum</i> (<i>A. officinarum</i>) is known to exhibit a beneficial effect for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. However, no sufficient research data are available on the cardiovascular effect of <i>A. officinarum</i>. Thus, in this study, we investigate whether <i>A. officinarum</i> extract has direct effects on vascular reactivity.<h4>Methods</h4>To examine whether <i>A. officinarum</i> extract affects vascular functionality, we measured isometric tension in rat mesenteric resistance arteries using a wire myograph. After arteries were pre-contracted with high-K⁺ (70 mM), phenylephrine (5 µM), or U46619 (1 µM), <i>A. officinarum</i> extract was treated.<h4>Results</h4><i>A. officinarum</i> extract induced vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect was endothelium independent. To further investigate the mechanism, we incubated arteries in a Ca²⁺-free and high-K⁺ solution, followed by the cumulative addition of CaCl₂ (0.01-2.5 mM) with or without <i>A. officinarum</i> extract (30 µg/mL). Pre-treatment of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract reduced the contractile responses induced by cumulative administration of Ca²⁺, which suggests that extracellular Ca²⁺ influx was inhibited by the treatment of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract. These results were associated with a reduction in phosphorylated MLC₂₀ in VSMCs treated with <i>A. officinarum</i> extract. Furthermore, eucalyptol, an active compound of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract, had a similar effect as <i>A. officinarum</i> extract, which causes vasodilation in mesenteric resistance arteries.<h4>Conclusion</h4><i>A. officinarum</i> extract and its active compound eucalyptol induce concentration-dependent vasodilation in mesenteric resistance arteries. These results suggest that administration of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract could exert beneficial effects to treat high blood pressure.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)Vasodilatory Effect of <i>Alpinia officinarum</i> Extract in Rat Mesenteric Arteries.PMC91040542020Haam CELim SByeon SChoi SKChoi SJLee YHfalseVasodilatory Effect of <i>Alpinia officinarum</i> Extract in Rat Mesenteric Arteries.<h4>Background</h4><i>Alpinia officinarum</i> (<i>A. officinarum</i>) is known to exhibit a beneficial effect for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. However, no sufficient research data are available on the cardiovascular effect of <i>A. officinarum</i>. Thus, in this study, we investigate whether <i>A. officinarum</i> extract has direct effects on vascular reactivity.<h4>Methods</h4>To examine whether <i>A. officinarum</i> extract affects vascular functionality, we measured isometric tension in rat mesenteric resistance arteries using a wire myograph. After arteries were pre-contracted with high-K⁺ (70 mM), phenylephrine (5 µM), or U46619 (1 µM), <i>A. officinarum</i> extract was treated.<h4>Results</h4><i>A. officinarum</i> extract induced vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect was endothelium independent. To further investigate the mechanism, we incubated arteries in a Ca²⁺-free and high-K⁺ solution, followed by the cumulative addition of CaCl₂ (0.01-2.5 mM) with or without <i>A. officinarum</i> extract (30 µg/mL). Pre-treatment of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract reduced the contractile responses induced by cumulative administration of Ca²⁺, which suggests that extracellular Ca²⁺ influx was inhibited by the treatment of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract. These results were associated with a reduction in phosphorylated MLC₂₀ in VSMCs treated with <i>A. officinarum</i> extract. Furthermore, eucalyptol, an active compound of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract, had a similar effect as <i>A. officinarum</i> extract, which causes vasodilation in mesenteric resistance arteries.<h4>Conclusion</h4><i>A. officinarum</i> extract and its active compound eucalyptol induce concentration-dependent vasodilation in mesenteric resistance arteries. These results suggest that administration of <i>A. officinarum</i> extract could exert beneficial effects to treat high blood pressure.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Apr2025-04-19T16:20:14.424Z2025-04-19T16:20:14.424ZS-EPMC91040543556606410.3390/molecules27092711