Vasorelaxant activity of extracts obtained from Apium graveolens: possible source for vasorelaxant molecules isolation with potential antihypertensive effect.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate vasorelaxant effect of organic extracts from Apium graveolens (A. graveolens) which is a part of a group of plants subjected to pharmacological and phytochemical study with the purpose of offering it as an ideal source for obtaining lead compounds for designing new therapeutic agents with potential vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects.


METHODS
An ex vivo method was employed to assess the vasorelaxant activity. This consisted of using rat aortic rings with and without endothelium precontracted with norepinephrine.


RESULTS
All extracts caused concentration-dependent relaxation in precontracted aortic rings with and without endothelium; the most active extracts were Dichloromethane and Ethyl Acetate extracts from A. graveolens. These results suggested that secondary metabolites responsible for the vasorelaxant activity belong to a group of compounds of medium polarity. Also, our evidence showed that effect induced by dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts from A. graveolens is mediated probably by calcium antagonism.


CONCLUSIONS
A. graveolens represents an ideal source for obtaining lead compounds for designing new therapeutic agents with potential vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects.
Division of Health Sciences, University of Quintana roo, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Electronic address: vgjorge7@uqroo.mx.
Vergara-Galicia
VG
Jorge
Jimenez-Ramirez Luis
JR
Ángel
Tun-Suarez
TS
Adrián
Aguirre-Crespo
AC
Francisco
Salazar-Gómez
SG
Anuar
Estrada-Soto
ES
Samuel
Sierra-Ovando
SO
Ángel
Hernandez-Nuñez
HN
Emmanuel
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D000077102:Apium / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
Aortic ring; Apium graveolens; Medicinal plant; Vasorelaxant