[Vasorelaxant activity of N-caffeoylamino acids].

Twelve N-caffeoylamino acids and N-cinnamoylamino acids were synthesized and their vasorelaxation activity against norepinephrine (NE)-induced contraction of rat aorta was examined. The following structure-activity relationships were found. 1) On the benzene ring, the caffeoyl structure is effective for vasorelaxation, while the cinnamoyl structure reduced vasorelaxation activity.

[Vasorelaxant activity of caffeic acid derivatives from Cichorium intybus and Equisetum arvense].

The vasorelaxant activities of chicoric acid (Compound 1) from Cichorium intybus and dicaffeoyl-meso-tartaric acid (Compound 2) from Equisetum arvense L. in isolated rat aorta strips were studied. Compound 1 is a diester composed of (S,S)-tartaric acid and caffeic acid, and 2 is composed of its meso type.