Carvacrol Improves Vascular Function in Hypertensive Animals by Modulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Abstract

Carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpene, has diverse biological activities, highlighting its antioxidant and antihypertensive capacity. However, there is little evidence demonstrating its influence on vascular regeneration. Therefore, we evaluated the modulation of carvacrol on endothelial repair induced by endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in hypertension. Twelve-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with a vehicle, carvacrol (50 or 100 mg/kg/day), or resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day) orally for four weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as the normotensive controls. Their systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly through the tail cuff. The EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow and peripherical circulation and were quantified by flow cytometry. The functionality of the EPC was evaluated after cultivation through the quantification of colony-forming units (CFU), evaluation of eNOS, intracellular detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and evaluation of senescence. The superior mesenteric artery was isolated to evaluate the quantification of ROS, CD34, and CD31. Treatment with carvacrol induced EPC migration, increased CFU formation and eNOS expression and activity, and reduced ROS and senescence. In addition, carvacrol reduced vascular ROS and increased CD31 and CD34 expression. This study showed that treatment with carvacrol improved the functionality of EPC, contributing to the reduction of endothelial dysfunction.

Protective effects of carvacrol on lipid profiles, oxidative stress, hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction – A comprehensive review

“…EPC migration, increasing CFU production, expression of eNOS, surface antigens (CD31 and CD34), and reduction in ROS and senescence (aging) were observed as a result of getting carvacrol. In other words, carvacrol, modified endothelial dysfunction, and EPC function (Gonçalves et al., 2023 ). The action mechanism of calcium channels and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in normotensive rats by applying intravenous (i.v) administration of carvacrol (1, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was investigated.…”

Exercise-Intervened Endothelial Progenitor Cell Exosomes Protect N2a Cells by Improving Mitochondrial Function

“…Marketou et al reported that EPCs are involved in arterial stiffness and remodeling in hypertensive patients [9], suggesting EPCs might be used as a therapeutic target. Indeed, Medeiros and colleagues found that a phenolic monoterpene called carvacrol can improve vascular function in hypertensive rats by improving the EPC migration, increasing colony-forming units, and reducing reactive oxygen species production [10]. Numerous studies have also demonstrated that physical exercise can stimulate the mobilization of EPCs and promote EPC differentiation, thereby enhancing the angiogenesis capability of EPCs and contributing to vascular repair [11].…”