title: Morus alba extract modulates blood pressure homeostasis through eNOS signaling.
abstract: Morus alba is a promising phytomedicine cultivated in oriental countries that is extensively used to prevent and treat various cardiovascular problems. To date, despite its beneficial effects, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Thus, we investigate the vascular and haemodynamic effects of Morus alba extract in an experimental model focusing our attention on the molecular mechanisms involved.
  
  
  
  Through vascular reactivity studies, we demonstrate that Morus alba extract evokes endothelial vasorelaxation through a nitric oxide-dependent pathway. Our molecular analysis highlights an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation. In vivo administration of Morus alba extract reduces blood pressure levels exclusively in wild-type mice, whereas it fails to evoke any haemodynamic effects in eNOS-deficient mice. Molecular analyses revealed that its beneficial action on vasculature is mediated by the activation of two important proteins that act as stress sensors and chaperones: PERK and heat shock protein 90. Finally, Morus alba extract exerts antihypertensive action in an experimental model of arterial hypertension.
  
  
  
  Through its action on eNOS signaling, Morus alba extract could act as a food supplement for the regulation of cardiovascular system, mainly in clinical conditions characterized by eNOS dysfunction, such as arterial hypertension.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Albino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carrizzo
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damato
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Storto
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capocci
authors.affiliation: European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.|Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Campiglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Laboratory of Food Chemistry, University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy.|Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sommella
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Research Center, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy.|Department of Neurosciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Trimarco
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Research Center, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy.|Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rozza
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Research Center, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy.|Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Multimedica, Milan, Italy.|Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy.
authors.forename: Annibale A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Puca
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy. cvecchione@unisa.it.|Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy. cvecchione@unisa.it.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vecchione
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D031625:Morus / Q000737:chemistry*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D019892:eIF-2 Kinase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019892:eIF-2 Kinase; C496315:Nos3 protein, mouse
keywords: Endothelium; Hypertension; Morus alba; Nitric oxide; Nutraceuticals