MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SLs that were fermented and further characterized for their biochemical activities. Cytotoxicity study was performed to assess cytostatic properties. A series of in vitro and ex vivo angiogenesis assay was also carried out. The relative fold change in the expression of p53 mRNA by SLs was also studied.
RESULTS: Altogether, the data show that SLs derived from palm oil fermentation process inhibited neovascularization in the ex vivo tissue segments and also the endothelial cell proliferation between 50% and 65% inhibition as a whole. The palm oil derived SLs also caused downregulation of the suppression level of vascular endothelial growth factor and also upregulate the p53 mRNA level. The analytical studies revealed the presence of high amount of phenolic compounds but with relatively weak antioxidant activity. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies revealed abundant amount of palmitic and oleic acid, the latter an established antiangiogenic agent, and the former being proangiogenic.
CONCLUSION: Therefore, it can be concluded from this study that SLs derived from fermented palm oil have potent antiangiogenic activity which may be attributed by its oleic acid component.
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study is designed to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of Chen pi and to study its pharmacology effects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vasorelaxant effect of water extract of Chen pi (CRW) were evaluated on thoracic aortic rings isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. The fingerprint of Chen pi and the extracts were developed with quantification of hesperidin content by HPTLC.
RESULTS: CRW exhibited the strongest vasorelaxant activity. CRW caused the relaxation of the phenylephrine pre-contracted aortic rings in the presence and absence of endothelium as well as in potassium chloride pre-contracted endothelium-intact aortic ring. The incubation of propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor blocker), atropine (muscarinic receptor blocker), Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NO synthase inhibitor), ODQ (sGC inhibitor), indomethacin (COX inhibitor), 4-aminopyridine (KV blocker), barium chloride (Kir blocker), and glibenclamide (KATP blocker) significantly reduced the vasorelaxant effects of CRW. CRW was also found to be active in reducing Ca2+ releases from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and suppressing the voltage-operated calcium channels.
CONCLUSION: The vasorelaxant effect of CRW on rat aorta involves NO/sGC, calcium and potassium channels, muscarinic and β-adrenergic receptors.