title: Affinin (Spilanthol), Isolated from Heliopsis longipes, Induces Vasodilation via Activation of Gasotransmitters and Prostacyclin Signaling Pathways.
abstract: Heliopsis longipesroots have been widely used in Mexican traditional medicine to relieve pain, mainly, toothaches. Previous studies have shown that affinin, the major alkamide of these roots, induces potent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect ofH. longipesroot extracts and affinin on the cardiovascular system have not been investigated so far. In the present study, we demonstrated that the dichloromethane and ethanolic extracts ofH. longipesroots, and affinin, isolated from these roots, produce a concentration-dependent vasodilation of rat aorta. Affinin-induced vasorelaxation was partly dependent on the presence of endothelium and was significantly blocked in the presence of inhibitors of NO, H₂S, and CO synthesis (NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), dl-propargylglycine (PAG), and chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP), respectively); K⁺ channel blockers (glibenclamide (Gli) and tetraethyl ammonium (TEA)), and guanylate cyclase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and indomethacin (INDO), respectively). Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that affinin induces vasodilation by mechanisms that involve gasotransmitters, and prostacyclin signaling pathways. These findings indicate that this natural alkamide has therapeutic potential in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Juriquilla, 76230 Querétaro, Qro., Mexico. dentaqro@live.com.mx.|Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, 76010 Querétaro, Qro., Mexico. dentaqro@live.com.mx.
authors.forename: Jesús Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Castro-Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, 76010 Querétaro, Qro., Mexico. rojasa@uaq.mx.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojas-Molina
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, 76010 Querétaro, Qro., Mexico. fjlunavz@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Luna-Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 México, D.F., Mexico. joserc@unam.mx.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivero-Cruz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Juriquilla, 76230 Querétaro, Qro., Mexico. tggasca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: García-Gasca
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, 76010 Querétaro, Qro., Mexico. cibarra@uaq.mx.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ibarra-Alvarado
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism*; D064426:Gasotransmitters / Q000378:metabolism*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008752:Methylene Chloride; D008954:Models, Biological; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D064426:Gasotransmitters; C489347:N-isobutyl-2E-decenamide; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D015221:Potassium Channels; D008752:Methylene Chloride; D011464:Epoprostenol; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D007213:Indomethacin
keywords: Heliopsis longipes; affinin; gasotransmitters; prostacyclin; rat aorta; vasodilation