title: Bakuchicin induces vascular relaxation via endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling.
abstract: Bakuchicin is a furanocoumarin derived from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of bakuchicin on vascular tone in rat aortic tissue. Bakuchicin induced a dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted rat aorta which was abolished by removal of the endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-α]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) significantly inhibited the vascular relaxation induced by bakuchicin. Incubation with bakuchicin increased the production of cGMP in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with both L-NAME and ODQ. Vascular relaxation induced by bakuchicin was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with verapamil and diltiazem, but not by several other inhibitors including tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide, indomethacin, atropine or propranolol. These results suggested that bakuchicin-induced vasodilatation is closely associated with the endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway, with the possible involvement of L-type Ca(2+) channels.
authors: College of Oriental Medicine and Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Xiang
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: Yun Jung
authors: YJ
authors: Lee
authors: Youn Chul
authors: YC
authors: Kim
authors: Gil Saeng
authors: GS
authors: Jeong
authors: Hao Zhen
authors: HZ
authors: Cui
authors: Hye Yoom
authors: HY
authors: Kim
authors: Dae Gill
authors: DG
authors: Kang
authors: Ho Sub
authors: HS
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010656:Phenylephrine; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D029907:Psoralea / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012639:Seeds; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014664:Vasodilation; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C459213:bakuchicin; D010656:Phenylephrine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006152:Cyclic GMP; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester