Goshuyuto, a Traditional Japanese Medicine, and Aqueous Extracts of Evodiae Fructus Constrict Isolated Rat Aorta via Adrenergic and/or Serotonergic Receptors

Abstract

Effects of goshuyuto, a traditional Japanese medicine, on vascular constriction were examined using isolated strips of rat aorta. Goshuyuto (1؋10 ؊5 to 1؋10 ؊3 g/ml) caused constriction of aorta strips in a dose-dependent manner. The vasoconstrictive effects of goshuyuto were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with prazosin, an adrenergic a a 1 receptor antagonist. The constrictive effects were partially inhibited by pretreatment with BRL15572, a 5-HT 1D antagonist, and ketanserin, a 5-HT 2A antagonist. However, the constrictive effects were not inhibited by pretreatment with SB216641, a 5-HT 1B antagonist, or propranolol, an adrenergic b b receptor antagonist. In addition, aqueous extracts of Evodiae Fructus, one of the constituent medicinal herbs of goshuyuto, caused constriction of aorta strips strongly, but aqueous extracts of Zizyphi Fructus, Ginseng Radix, and Zingiberis Rhizoma, the other constituents of goshuyuto, did not have much effect on the vascular response of rat aorta strips. Also, synephrine, which is one of the ingredients of Evodiae Fructus, constricted the rat aorta. These results suggest that goshuyuto constricts rat aorta strips and that the mechanisms involve the adrenergic and/or serotonergic receptors. Also, it may be suggested that Evodiae Fructus and synephrine play the important role in the vasoconstrictive effects of goshuyuto on rat aorta strips.

Identification of active ingredients in Wuzhuyu decoction improving migraine in mice by spectral efficiency association

“…It was observed that reserpine-induced migraine headache attacks are associated with excessive catecholamine metabolism (30), therefore, a disturbance of catecholamine metabolism is important in migraines. In addition, meningeal noxious stimulation activates the primary sensory trigeminal fibers, resulting in the release of calcitonin gene related peptide, and endogenous NO is involved in this process (31). The catecholamines, 5-HT, NE, DA, and vasoactive substances, NO, NOS are associated with the modeling mechanism and can visually reflect the pathophysiological characteristics of models, thus, they are selected as pharmacodynamic indices.…”

Medication Overuse Headache Successfully Treated by Three Types of Japanese Herbal Kampo Medicine

“…Goshuyuto (TJ-31) is composed of four herbal components. In basic research, goshuyuto inhibits platelet aggregation in guinea-pig whole blood [ 18 ] and constricts the isolated rat aorta [ 19 ]. These findings suggested that goshuyuto decreases platelet hyper-aggregation, preventing excess serotonin release.…”

Medication Overuse Headache Successfully Treated by Japanese Herbal Kampo Medicine, Yokukansan

“…Goreisan (TJ-17) may activate the glymphatic flow correctly and promote the drainage of inflammatory substances by regulating the aquaporin 4 channel, thereby suppressing the headache [ 12 , 13 ]. Goshuyuto (TJ-31) may adjust serotonin levels and vessel constriction appropriately [ 14 , 15 ], and raising serotonin levels beforehand by goshuyuto [ 16 ] may suppress the hyper-reactivity of serotonin receptors for serotonin, leading to the prevention of migraine attack. Kakkonto (TJ-1) may relieve tension-type headaches by upregulating blood flow in the shoulder muscles [ 17 ].…”