The semi-synthetic kaurane ent-16α-methoxykauran-19-oic acid induces vascular relaxation and hypotension in rats.

The present work investigates the mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of ent-16α-methoxykauran-19-oic acid (KA-OCH3), a semi-synthetic derivative obtained from the kaurane-type diterpene ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid). Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in aortic rings isolated from male Wistar rats using standard muscle bath procedures. The cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) was measured by confocal microscopy using the fluorescent probe Fluo-3 AM.