Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 216 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Mechanism of vasorelaxation induced by eupatorin in the rats aortic ring
    Yam MF, Tan CS, Ahmad M, Shibao R
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2016 Oct 15;789:27-36.
    PMID: 27370961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.06.047
    Previous studies demonstrated that eupatorin content in Orthosiphon stamineus fractions correlated with their vasorelaxation activity. Even with previous studies, there is still very little information on the vasorelaxation effect of eupatorin, and not many scientific studies had been carried out. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the vasorelaxation activity and mechanism of action of eupatorin. The vasorelaxation activity and the underlying mechanisms of eupatorin was evaluated on thoracic aortic rings isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. Eupatorin caused the relaxation of aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine with and without endothelium (pD2=6.66±0.13, EMAX=99.72±6.39%; pD2=6.10±0.22, EMAX=65.78±8.01%), and also the relaxation of endothelium-intact aortic rings pre-contracted with potassium chloride (pD2=6.20±0.30, EMAX=71.89±12.25%). In the presence of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (pD2<4.60, EMAX=24.91±6.39%), methylene blue (pD2=6.05±0.38, EMAX=66.79±9.69%), ODQ (pD25.84±0.32, EMAX=60.47±9.6%), indomethacin (pD2=6.27±0.21, EMAX=76.03±9.45%), tetraethylammonium (pD2=6.09±0.35, EMAX=69.35±11.31%), 4-aminopyridine (pD2=6.34±0.12, EMAX=76±6.1%), barium chloride (pD2=6.47±0.14, EMAX=79.61±10.02%), atropine (pD2=6.36±0.29, EMAX=86.47±12.95%) and propranolol (pD2=6.49±0.26, EMAX=83.2±12.01%), relaxation stimulated by eupatorin was significantly reduced. Eupatorin was also found to be active in reducing Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and in blocking calcium channels. The present study demonstrates the vasorelaxation effect of eupatorin involving NO/sGC/cGMP and indomethacin pathways, calcium and potassium channels, and muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects*; Aorta/physiology*
  2. Designing the angiogenic inhibitor for brain tumor via disruption of VEGF and IL17A expression
    Khan MS, Majid AM, Iqbal MA, Majid AS, Al-Mansoub M, Haque RS
    Eur J Pharm Sci, 2016 Oct 10;93:304-18.
    PMID: 27552907 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2016.08.032
    Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly malignant, heterogenic, and drug resistant tumor. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), systemic cytotoxicity, and limited specificity are the main obstacles in designing brain tumor drugs. In this study a computational approach was used to design brain tumor drugs that could downregulate VEGF and IL17A in glioblastoma multiforme type four. Computational screening tools were used to evaluate potential candidates for antiangiogenic activity, target binding, BBB permeability, and ADME physicochemical properties. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity, migration, invasion, tube formation, apoptosis, ROS and ELISA assays were conducted for molecule 6 that was deemed most likely to succeed. The efflux ratio of membrane permeability and calculated docking scores of permeability to glycoproteins (P-gps) were used to determine the BBB permeability of the molecules. The results showed BBB permeation for molecule 6, with the predicted efficiency of 0.55kcal/mol and binding affinity of -37kj/mol corresponding to an experimental efflux ratio of 0.625 and predicted -15kj/mol of binding affinity for P-gps. Molecule 6 significantly affected the angiogenesis pathways by 2-fold downregulation of IL17A and VEGF through inactivation of active sites of HSP90 (predicted binding: -37kj/mol, predicted efficiency: 0.55kcal/mol) and p23 (predicted binding: 12kj/mol, predicted efficiency: 0.17kcal/mol) chaperon proteins. Additionally, molecule 6 activated the 17.38% relative fold of ROS level at 18.3μg/mL and upregulated the caspase which lead the potential synergistic apoptosis through the antiangiogenic activity of molecule 6 and thereby the highly efficacious anticancer upshot. The results indicate that the binding of the molecules to the therapeutic target is not essential to produce a lethal effect on cancer cells of the brain and that antiangiogenic efficiency is much more important.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects; Aorta/physiology
  3. Intraoperative echocardiographic delineation of the high take-off coronary ostia during an extensive surgical repair of the bicuspid aortic valve and dilated sinotubular junction: a case report
    Jung HJ, Kwon WK, Lee SJ, Mohamed N, Shin BM, Lee J, et al.
    BMC Anesthesiol, 2016 10 04;16(1):83.
    PMID: 27716083
    BACKGROUND: This study reports the efficacy of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for evaluation of high take-off coronary ostia and proximal coronary arterial flows as an alternative to preoperative coronary angiography.

    CASE PRESENTATION: In a 65-year old male undergoing the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) repair and the extensive remodeling of dilated sinus and tubular junction, and preoperative coronary angiography were unsuccessfully completed due to an allergic reaction to the contrast medium. Intraoperative TEE by employing various 3-dimensional volume images of coronary ostia and Doppler tracings of the coronary arterial flows enabled a thorough pre-procedural evaluation of the high take-off coronary arteries and post-procedural evaluation by confirming the absence of any compromise in coronary arterial flow.

    CONCLUSION: In the present case, intraoperative application of various TEE imaging modalities enabled comprehensive evaluation of high-taking off coronary artery, as an alternative to preoperative coronary angiography, in a patient undergoing an extensive aortic valve and aortic root repair procedure.

    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/surgery
  4. Paeonol protects against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced endothelial dysfunction via AMPK/PPARδ signaling pathway
    Choy KW, Mustafa MR, Lau YS, Liu J, Murugan D, Lau CW, et al.
    Biochem Pharmacol, 2016 09 15;116:51-62.
    PMID: 27449753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.07.013
    Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in endothelial cells often leads to endothelial dysfunction which underlies the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Paeonol, a major phenolic component extracted from Moutan Cortex, possesses various medicinal benefits which have been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study investigated the protective mechanism of paeonol against tunicamycin-induced ER stress in isolated mouse aortas and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Vascular reactivity in aorta was measured using a wire myograph. The effects of paeonol on protein expression of ER stress markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) activity in the vascular wall were assessed by Western blot, dihydroethidium fluorescence (DHE) or lucigenin enhanced-chemiluminescence, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM DA) and dual luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Ex vivo treatment with paeonol (0.1μM) for 16h reversed the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in C57BJ/6J and PPARδ wild type (WT) mouse aortas following incubation with tunicamycin (0.5μg/mL). Elevated ER stress markers, oxidative stress and reduction of NO bioavailability induced by tunicamycin in HUVECs, C57BJ/6J and PPARδ WT mouse aortas were reversed by paeonol treatment. These beneficial effects of paeonol were diminished in PPARδ knockout (KO) mouse aortas. Paeonol increased the expression of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PPARδ expression and activity while restoring the decreased phosphorylation of eNOS. The present study delineates that paeonol protects against tunicamycin-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction by inhibition of ER stress and oxidative stress, thus elevating NO bioavailability via the AMPK/PPARδ signaling pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Thoracic
  5. Fulltext Sodium nitrite exerts an antihypertensive effect and improves endothelial function through activation of eNOS in the SHR
    Ling WC, Murugan DD, Lau YS, Vanhoutte PM, Mustafa MR
    Sci Rep, 2016 09 12;6:33048.
    PMID: 27616322 DOI: 10.1038/srep33048
    Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) induces relaxation in isolated arteries partly through an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving NO-eNOS-sGC-cGMP pathway. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of chronic NaNO2 administration on arterial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and vascular function in hypertensive rats. NaNO2 (150 mg L-1) was given in drinking water for four weeks to spontaneously (SHR) and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) treated hypertensive SD rats. Arterial SBP and vascular function in isolated aortae were studied. Total plasma nitrate/nitrite and vascular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were measured using commercially available assay kits. Vascular nitric oxide (NO) levels were evaluated by DAF-FM fluorescence while the proteins involved in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation was determined by Western blotting. NaNO2 treatment reduced SBP, improved the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation, increased plasma total nitrate/nitrite level and vascular tissue NO and cGMP levels in SHR. Furthermore, increased presence of phosphorylated eNOS and Hsp-90 was observed in NaNO2-treated SHR. The beneficial effect of nitrite treatment was not observed in L-NAME treated hypertensive SD rats. The present study provides evidence that chronic treatment of genetically hypertensive rats with NaNO2 improves endothelium-dependent relaxation in addition to its antihypertensive effect, partly through mechanisms involving activation of eNOS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects*; Aorta/metabolism*
  6. Fulltext Fluorescence multispectral imaging-based diagnostic system for atherosclerosis
    Ho CS, Horiuchi T, Taniguchi H, Umetsu A, Hagisawa K, Iwaya K, et al.
    Biomed Eng Online, 2016 Aug 20;15(1):98.
    PMID: 27542354 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-016-0220-z
    Composition of atherosclerotic arterial walls is rich in lipids such as cholesterol, unlike normal arterial walls. In this study, we aimed to utilize this difference to diagnose atherosclerosis via multispectral fluorescence imaging, which allows for identification of fluorescence originating from the substance in the arterial wall.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
  7. Effects of Labisia pumila var alata extracts on the lipid profile, serum antioxidant status and abdominal aorta of high-cholesterol diet rats
    Dianita R, Jantan I, Jalil J, Amran AZ
    Phytomedicine, 2016 Jul 15;23(8):810-7.
    PMID: 27288916 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.04.004
    BACKGROUND: Previous studies on Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) have showed that it could inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and provide protection on myocardial infarction in rats.

    HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: We hypothesized that LPva extracts can modulate the lipid profiles and serum antioxidant status of hypercholesterolemic rats. In the present study, we investigated the effects of aqueous and 80% ethanol extracts of LPva on atherogenic and serum antioxidant parameters as well as changes in abdominal aorta of high-cholesterol diet rats.

    METHODS: The major components of the extracts, gallic acid, flavonoids and alkyl resorcinols were analyzed by using a validated reversed phase HPLC method. The rats were induced to hypercholesterolemic status with daily intake of 2% cholesterol for a duration of 8 weeks. Three different doses (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) of the extracts were administered daily on the 4th week onwards. The rats were then sacrificed and the blood was collected via abdominal aorta and serum was separated by centrifugation for biochemical analysis. Part of the aorta tissues were excised immediately for histopathological examination.

    RESULTS: The serum of LPva treated rats showed significant reduction in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and the abdominal aorta showed a significant decrease of atheroma lesions in treated rats. Serum lipid profiles of treated rats showed a decrease in total cholesterol, total triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels as compared to control group. The atherogenic indices in treated rats were significantly improved along with an increasing level of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The extracts also exhibited significant increase of antioxidant enzymes and decrease of MDA as a product of lipid peroxidation.

    CONCLUSION: LPva extracts can reduce the risk of dyslipidemia by improving the serum lipid profiles and modulating serum antioxidants.

    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects*
  8. Fulltext Endovascular stent graft repair of aorto-iliac pseudoaneurysms - Hospital Kuala Lumpur experience
    Khang NC, Zainal AA
    Med J Malaysia, 2016 02;71(1):17-22.
    PMID: 27130738
    BACKGROUND: This is a single institutional review of aortoiliac pseudoaneurysm of various aetiologies managed with endovascular stent graft repair.

    METHODS: From 2009 to 2014, 16 patients had endovascular stent graft inserted for pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Co-morbidity, causative agents, in-hospital mortality, complications and outcomes were examined.

    RESULTS: The average age was 59.1 years (range 36-77). Comorbidities include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, prior infection and previous open aneurysmal repair. All patients had raised WBC (>10.0x10(9) /L), ESR or Creactive protein on admission while 50% of patients had fever. Blood cultures were positive in 4 patients. All patients were given antibiotics. Only one in-hospital mortality was noted at day-47 post-procedure. Two patients died of aortoenteric fistula at district hospital eight and 16 months later. One patient died of chronic graft infection two years later. One died of unrelated cause. One patient developed type IB endoleak from internal iliac artery two years later and surgical ligation was performed. The average follow up was 15.8 months.

    CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent graft repair for pseudoaneurysm is a viable option compared to open surgery. It is less invasive, has lower operative morbidity and fair outcomes. However, some cases may be due to inflammatory aortitis instead of infective pseudoaneurysm, given the frequent culture-negative results. In order to obtain high yield of bacteria culture for infected pseudoaneurysm, open repair with tissue culture is still the main mode of treatment especially for patients with low comorbidity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Thoracic
  9. Rare variations in the Origin, Branching Pattern and Course of the Celiac Trunk: Report of Two Cases
    Prasanna LC, Alva R, Sneha GK, Bhat KM
    Malays J Med Sci, 2016 Jan;23(1):77-81.
    PMID: 27540329
    Multiple anomalies in the celiac arterial system presents as rare vascular malformations, depicting deviations of the normal vascular developmental pattern. We found a common left gastro-phrenic trunk and a hepato-spleno-mesenteric trunk arising separately from the abdominal aorta in one cadaver. We also found a common hepatic artery and a gastro-splenic trunk arising individually from the abdominal aorta in another cadaver. Even though many variations in the celiac trunk have been described earlier, the complex variations described here are not mentioned and classified by earlier literature. Knowledge of such variations has significance in the surgical and invasive arterial radiological procedures in the upper abdomen.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Abdominal
  10. Fulltext Dysphagia lusoria: a case report
    Nik Qisti, F., Shahrun Niza, A.S., Razrim, R.
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2016;15(2):73-76.
    MyJurnal
    Aberrant right subclavian artery is a rare cause of dysphagia. This is a congenital anomaly with the right
    subclavian artery originating from the dorsal part of the aortic arch and coursing through the mediastinum
    between the esophagus and the vertebral column. We report a case of a patient with chronic dysphagia
    caused by this condition. We further discuss the case with regards to its clinical features and options of
    management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Thoracic
  11. Fulltext First Report of Eurycoma longifolia Jack Root Extract Causing Relaxation of Aortic Rings in Rats
    Tee BH, Hoe SZ, Cheah SH, Lam SK
    Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:1361508.
    PMID: 27800486 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1361508
    Although Eurycoma longifolia has been studied for erectile function, the blood pressure- (BP-) lowering effect has yet to be verified. Hence, this study aims at investigating the BP-lowering properties of the plant with a view to develop an antihypertensive agent that could also preserve erectile function. Ethanolic root extract was partitioned by hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The DCM fraction, found to be potent in relaxing phenylephrine- (PE-) precontracted rat aortic rings, was further purified by column chromatography. Subfraction DCM-II, being the most active in relaxing aortae, was studied for effects on the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems in aortic rings. The effect of DCM-II on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was also evaluated in vitro. Results showed that DCM-II reduced (p < 0.05) the contractions evoked by angiotensin I and angiotensin II (Ang II). In PE-precontracted rings treated with DCM-II, the Ang II-induced contraction was attenuated (p < 0.05) while bradykinin- (BK-) induced relaxation enhanced (p < 0.001). In vitro, DCM-II inhibited (p < 0.001) the activity of ACE. These data demonstrate that the vasodilatory effect of DCM-II appears to be mediated via inhibition of Ang II type 1 receptor and ACE as well as enhancement of Ang II type 2 receptor activation and BK activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects*; Aorta/metabolism
  12. Vasorelaxant Action of the Chloroform Fraction of Orthosiphon stamineus via NO/cGMP Pathway, Potassium and Calcium Channels
    Yam MF, Tan CS, Ahmad M, Ruan S
    Am J Chin Med, 2016;44(7):1413-1439.
    PMID: 27785939
    Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (Lamiaceae) is an important plant in traditional folk medicine that is used to treat hypertension and kidney stones. In humans, this plant has been tested as an addition regiment for antihypertensive treatment. Among the treatments for hypertension, O. stamineus had been to have diuretic and vasorelaxant effects in animal models. There is still very little information regarding the vasorelaxant effect of O. stamineus. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the vasorelaxant activity and mechanism of action of the fractions of O. stamineus. The vasorelaxant activity and the underlying mechanisms of the chloroform fraction of the 50% methanolic extract of O. stamineus (CF) was evaluated on thoracic aortic rings isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. CF caused relaxation of the aortic ring pre-contracted with phenylephrine in the presence and absence of endothelium, and pre-contracted with potassium chloride in endothelium-intact aortic ring. In the presence of endothelium, both indomethacin (a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor) and [Formula: see text]-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-[Formula: see text]]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, selective soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor) had a small effect on the vasorelaxation response. On the other hand, in the presence of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), methylene blue (cyclic guanosine monophosphate lowering agent), tetraethylammonium ([Formula: see text], nonselective calcium activator [Formula: see text] channel blocker), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, voltage-dependent [Formula: see text] channel blocker), barium chloride ([Formula: see text], inwardly rectifying [Formula: see text] channel blocker), glibenclamide (nonspecific ATP-sensitive [Formula: see text] channel blocker), atropine (muscarinic receptor blocker) and propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor blocker), the vasorelaxant effect significantly reduced the relaxation stimulated by CF. CF was also found to be active in reducing [Formula: see text] release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and blocking calcium channels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects; Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
  13. Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive effect of Alstonia scholaris
    Bello I, Usman NS, Mahmud R, Asmawi MZ
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2015 Dec 4;175:422-31.
    PMID: 26429073 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.031
    Alstonia scholaris has a long history of use in the Ayurveda traditional treatment of various ailments including hypertension. We have reported the blood pressure lowering activity of the extract of A. scholaris. The following research aim to delineate the pharmacological mechanism involve in the antihypertensive action.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects; Aorta, Thoracic/physiology
  14. Urogenital Vascular Anomalies with Bilateral Kinking of Ureter: A Case Report
    Tadipi S, Sadashiv R, Muralidharan S, Pimid M
    Malays J Med Sci, 2015 Nov;22(6):67-70.
    PMID: 28223889
    Variations in the urogenital vascular anomalies in the abdomen are very common. However, they warrant attention due to their importance in operative, diagnostic, and endovascular procedures. During routine dissection of abdomen in a male cadaver, unique urogenital vascular anomalies were observed. On the right side, the right renal artery was found to be originated from the abdominal aorta at the level of L2 and divided into five branches; the right testicular artery and inferior suprarenal artery originated from the lower branch. We also observed, accessory renal artery arising from abdominal aorta at the level of L3 and double renal veins on right side. On the left side, we found left renal artery originating from the abdominal aorta at the level of L2 and divided into two branches. Double testicular (medial and lateral) arteries were also observed. In addition to these vascular variations, bilateral kinking of ureter at the pelviureteric junction was also observed. Although the variations in the origin of urogenital vessels in the abdomen are common, deeper understanding of the urogenital vascular variations and their relations to adjacent structures is significant during surgical and radiological procedures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Abdominal
  15. Asiaticoside Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells
    Fong LY, Ng CT, Zakaria ZA, Baharuldin MT, Arifah AK, Hakim MN, et al.
    Phytother Res, 2015 Oct;29(10):1501-8.
    PMID: 26171791 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5404
    The increase in endothelial permeability often promotes edema formation in various pathological conditions. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-atherogenic cytokine, impairs endothelial barrier function and causes endothelial dysfunction in early stage of atherosclerosis. Asiaticoside, one of the triterpenoids derived from Centella asiatica, is known to possess antiinflammatory activity. In order to examine the role of asiaticoside in preserving the endothelial barrier, we assessed its effects on endothelial hyperpermeability and disruption of actin filaments evoked by TNF-α in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). TNF-α caused an increase in endothelial permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. Asiaticoside pretreatment significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced increased permeability. Asiaticoside also prevented TNF-α-induced actin redistribution by suppressing stress fiber formation. However, the increased F to G actin ratio stimulated by TNF-α was not changed by asiaticoside. Cytochalasin D, an actin depolymerizing agent, was used to correlate the anti-hyperpermeability effect of asiaticoside with actin cytoskeleton. Surprisingly, asiaticoside failed to prevent cytochalasin D-induced increased permeability. These results suggest that asiaticoside protects against the disruption of endothelial barrier and actin rearrangement triggered by TNF-α without a significant change in total actin pool. However, asiaticoside seems to work by other mechanisms to maintain the integrity of endothelial barrier rather than stabilizing the F-actin organization.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects
  16. Biologically active vallesamine, strychnan, and rhazinilam alkaloids from Alstonia: Pneumatophorine, a nor-secovallesamine with unusual incorporation of a 3-ethylpyridine moiety
    Lim JL, Sim KS, Yong KT, Loong BJ, Ting KN, Lim SH, et al.
    Phytochemistry, 2015 Sep;117:317-24.
    PMID: 26125941 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.06.024
    Four alkaloids comprising two vallesamine, one strychnan, and one pyranopyridine alkaloid, in addition to 32 other known alkaloids were isolated from two Malayan Alstonia species, Alstonia pneumatophora and Alstonia rostrata. The structures of these alkaloids were determined using NMR and MS analyses, and in one instance, confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The nor-6,7-secovallesamine alkaloid, pneumatophorine, is notable for an unusual incorporation of a 3-ethylpyridine moiety in a monoterpenoid indole. The rhazinilam-type alkaloids (rhazinicine, nor-rhazinicine, rhazinal, and rhazinilam) showed strong cytotoxicity toward human KB, HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and MRC-5 cells, while pneumatophorine, the uleine alkaloid undulifoline, and the strychnan alkaloids, N4-demethylalstogustine and echitamidine, induced concentration dependent relaxation in phenylephrine-precontracted rat aortic rings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects
  17. Des-aspartate angiotensin I (DAA-I) reduces endothelial dysfunction in the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress
    Loh WM, Ling WC, Murugan DD, Lau YS, Achike FI, Vanhoutte PM, et al.
    Vascul. Pharmacol., 2015 Aug;71:151-8.
    PMID: 25869508 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2015.03.011
    Des-aspartate angiotensin I (DAA-I), an endogenous nonapeptide, counteracts several effects of angiotensin II on vascular tone. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute protective effect of DAA-I on endothelial function in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) as well as its effect on angiotensin II-induced contractions and oxidative stress. Aortic rings were incubated with DAA-I (0.1μM) for 30min prior to the assessment of angiotensin II-induced contractions (0.1nM-10μM) in WKY and SHR aortas. Total nitrate and nitrite levels were assessed using a colorimetric method and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. The effect of DAA-I was also assessed against endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. Angiotensin II-induced contractions were significantly reduced by DAA-I, losartan and tempol. Incubation with ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) and removal of the endothelium prevented the reduction of angiotensin II-induced contractions by DAA-I. Total nitrate and nitrite levels were increased in DAA-I, losartan and tempol treated-SHR tissues while ROS level was reduced by DAA-I and the latter inhibitors. In addition, DAA-I significantly improved the impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation in SHR aortas whilst sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium-independent relaxation remained unaffected. The present findings indicate that improvement of endothelial function by DAA-I in the SHR aorta is mediated through endothelium-dependent release of nitric oxide and inhibition of angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects; Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
  18. Fulltext Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation Effect of Apocynum venetum Leaf Extract via Src/PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway
    Lau YS, Ling WC, Murugan D, Kwan CY, Mustafa MR
    Nutrients, 2015 Jul;7(7):5239-53.
    PMID: 26133970 DOI: 10.3390/nu7075220
    Botanical herbs are consumed globally not only as an essential diet but also as medicines or as functional/recreational food supplements. The extract of the Apocynum venetum leaves (AVLE), also known as Luobuma, exerts its antihypertensive effect via dilating the blood vessels in an endothelium- and concentration-dependent manner with optimal effect seen at as low as 10 µg/mL. A commercial Luoboma "antihypertensive tea" is available commercially in the western province of China. The present study seeks to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing property of AVLE in rat aortas and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by AVLE was assessed in organ chambers in the presence or absence of polyethyleneglycol catalase (PP2, 20 µM; inhibitor of Src kinase), wortmannin (30 nM) and LY294002 (20 µM; PI3 (phosphatidylinositol3)-Kinase inhibitor), N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME, 100 µM; endothelial NO synthase inhibitor (eNOS)) and ODQ (1 µM; soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor). Total nitrite and nitrate (NOx) level and protein expression of p-Akt and p-eNOS were measured. AVLE-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was reduced by PP2, wortmannin and LY294002 and abolished by L-NAME and ODQ. AVLE significantly increased total NOx level in rat aortas and in HUVECs compared to control. It also instigated phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in cultured HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner and this was markedly suppressed by PP2, wortmannin and LY294002. AVLE also inhibited superoxide generated from both NADPH oxidase and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Taken together, AVLE causes endothelium-dependent NO mediated relaxations of rat aortas through Src/PI3K/Akt dependent NO signalling pathway and possesses superoxide scavenging activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta
  19. Hispidacine, an unusual 8,4'-oxyneolignan-alkaloid with vasorelaxant activity, and hispiloscine, an antiproliferative phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid, from Ficus hispida Linn
    Yap VA, Loong BJ, Ting KN, Loh SH, Yong KT, Low YY, et al.
    Phytochemistry, 2015 Jan;109:96-102.
    PMID: 25468714 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.10.032
    Hispidacine, an 8,4'-oxyneolignan featuring incorporation of an unusual 2-hydroxyethylamine moiety at C-7, and hispiloscine, a phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid, were isolated from the stem-bark and leaves of the Malaysian Ficus hispida Linn. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis. Hispidacine induced a moderate vasorelaxant activity in rat isolated aorta, while hispiloscine showed appreciable antiproliferative activities against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, A549, HCT-116 and MRC-5 cell lines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects
  20. Fulltext Antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant efficacies of zerumbone on the formation, development, and establishment of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits
    Hemn HO, Noordin MM, Rahman HS, Hazilawati H, Zuki A, Chartrand MS
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2015;9:4173-208.
    PMID: 26347047 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S76225
    Owing to the high incidence of cholesterol-induced cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, the current study was designed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic efficacies of dietary zerumbone (ZER) supplementation on the formation and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet. A total of 72 New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly on two experimental studies carried out 8 weeks apart. The first experiment was designed to investigate the prophylactic efficacy of ZER in preventing early developed atheromatous lesion. The second experimental trial was aimed at investigating the therapeutic effect of ZER in reducing the atherosclerotic lesion progression and establishment. Sudanophilia, histopathological, and ultrastructural changes showed pronounced reduction in the plaque size in ZER-medicated aortas. On the other hand, dietary supplementation of ZER for almost 10 weeks as a prophylactic measure indicated substantially decreasing lipid profile values, and similarly, plaque size in comparison with high-cholesterol non-supplemented rabbits. Furthermore, the results of oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarker evaluation indicated that ZER is a potent antioxidant in suppressing the generation of free radicals in terms of atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. ZER significantly reduced the value of malondialdehyde and augmented the value of superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, our data indicated that dietary supplementation of ZER at doses of 8, 16, and 20 mg/kg alone as a prophylactic measure, and as a supplementary treatment with simvastatin, significantly reduced early plague formation, development, and establishment via significant reduction in serum lipid profile, together with suppression of oxidative damage, and therefore alleviated atherosclerosis lesions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aorta/drug effects; Aorta/metabolism; Aorta/ultrastructure
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links