Calcium influx inhibition is involved in the hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects induced by yangambin.

The pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular system of yangambin, a lignan isolated from Ocotea duckei Vattimo (Lauraceae), were studied in rats using combined functional and biochemical approaches. In non-anaesthetized rats, yangambin (1, 5, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg, i.v.

Decreased number of caveolae in endothelial cells impairs the relaxation induced by acetylcholine in hypertensive rat aortas.

The present study was designed to investigate the contribution of endothelial cell caveolae to vascular relaxation in aortas from a normotensive (2K) and renal hypertensive (2K-1C) rat. For that purpose, concentration-effect curves to acetylcholine were constructed in 2K and 2K-1C intact endothelium aortic rings, in the absence or in the presence of the caveolae disassembler methyl-beta-ciclodextrin. The potency (pD(2)) and the maximum relaxant effect to acetylcholine were greater in 2K than in 2K-1C aortas.

Mechanisms involved in the vasodilator effect induced by diosgenin in rat superior mesenteric artery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant effect induced by diosgenin in superior mesenteric rings. In rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (10 microM), diosgenin caused concentration-dependent relaxations [EC(50) = (3.3 +/- 1.