Effects of Acai Berry Ethanolic Extracts on Production of Nitric Oxide and Activity of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Related to Blood Circulation

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop a supplementary therapeutic agent capable of promoting vascular circulation. The effects of Acai berry ethanolic extracts (ABEE) on activity of angiotensin converting enzyme from rabbit lung, production of nitro oxide in both murine macrophage cells and vascular endothelial cells as well as antioxidant effects were investigated in this study. First of all, it was observed the direct effects of ABEE on reducing power and antioxidant effect lipid peroxidation. In addition, ABEE showed a protective effect on DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radical. Furthermore, ABEE at 0.01% exerted approximately 50% inhibition on activity of angiotensin converting enzyme. ABEE increased the production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells, but decreased the induction of nitric oxide stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in microphage. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2 and -3 were enhanced by ABEE treatment, however, the expression level of SOD-1 remained constant. Moreover, the expression level of nitric oxide synthases-1 (NOS-1), a constitutive enzyme, was increased by ABEE, but that of NOS-2, a inducible enzyme, was constant. It was also found that the level of Nrf-2, a transcription factor of SOD, was increased by ABEE. Therefore, these results demonstrate that ABEE could promote blood circulation via above actions, suggesting that may be helpful for health of blood vessel.