Gomisin J from Schisandra chinensis induces vascular relaxation via activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Gomisin J (GJ) is a lignan contained in Schisandra chinensis (SC) which is a well-known medicinal herb for improvement of cardiovascular symptoms in Korean. Thus, the present study examined the vascular effects of GJ, and also determined the mechanisms involved. Exposure of rat thoracic aorta to GJ (1-30μg/ml) resulted in a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, which was more prominent in the endothelium (ED)-intact aorta.

Antihypertensive effect of gomisin A from Schisandra chinensis on angiotensin II-induced hypertension via preservation of nitric oxide bioavailability.

Gomisin A (GA) is a small molecular weight lignan present in Schisandra chinensis, and has been demonstrated to have vasodilatory activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of GA on blood pressure (BP) in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive mice. C57/BL6 mice infused subcutaneously with Ang II (1 and 2 μg kg⁻¹ per min for 2 weeks) showed an increase in BP with a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in plasma, and a negative correlation between these two parameters was demonstrated.