Synergistic interaction between the Ligusticum chuanxiong constituent butylidenephthalide and the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside in relaxing rat isolated aorta.

Abstract:

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is often prescribed together with nitric oxide donors for treating coronary heart diseases such as angina in China; however, studies concerning their pharmacological interaction are scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY:The objective of the present study was to examine the interaction between the Ligusticum chuanxiong major active constituent butylidenephthalide (BDPH) and the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in vasorelaxation. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Vasorelaxation was examined in rat isolated aorta using an organ bath system. RESULTS:BDPH and SNP interacted synergistically under 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxyprostaglandin H2 (U-46619)-induced tone. This synergism became greater with increasing U-46619 concentrations where Ca2+ sensitization contributed more significantly, and less when U-46619 was replaced with phenylephrine where participation of Ca2+ sensitization was minimal. BDPH-SNP synergism remained intact in the absence of external Ca2+, indicating that regulation of Ca2+ influx was not a requirement for the manifestation of this interaction. CONCLUSIONS:The present study demonstrated the synergistic relaxation between BDPH and SNP in rat isolated aorta. This interaction is related to an enhancement of the effectiveness of SNP in producing relaxation under tone induced mainly by Ca2+ sensitization.

journal_name

J Ethnopharmacol

authors

Chan SS,Jones RL,Lin G

doi

10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.002

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2009-03-18 00:00:00

pages

308-12

issue

2

eissn

0378-8741

issn

1872-7573

pii

S0378-8741(09)00002-6

journal_volume

122

pub_type

杂志文章