Paullinia pinnata Extracts Rich in Polyphenols Promote Vascular Relaxation via Endothelium-dependent Mechanisms

Abstract

Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) is an African tropical plant whose roots and leaves are used in traditional medicine for many purposes, especially for erectile dysfunction, but its action mechanism is unknown. P. pinnata root and leaf methanolic extracts are rich in phenolic compounds. This study shows that both extracts are highly antioxidative and induce a slight transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha. They also increased and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase and endothelin-1 mRNA levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells, respectively. In this study P. pinnata methanolic extracts in cumulative doses elicited in a dose-dependent manner the relaxation of phenylephrine precontracted isolated rat aortic rings. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester significantly attenuated the capacity of both extracts to induce arterial relaxation, indicating that this arterial relaxation was mediated by endothelial nitric oxide release. It could be suggested that the arterial relaxation induced by both extracts could be mainly linked to their capacities to inhibit nitric oxide oxidation through their antioxidant properties.

Repeated toxicological study and cardiotoxicity of hydroalcoholic root extract of Paullinia pinnata L (Sapindaceae).

“…P. pinnata flavotannin has a cardiotonic effect on isolated frog's heart and on the heart of mammals (Broadbent, 1962). Zamble et al, (2006) have demonstrated the vasodilatory activity of P. pinnata, and then it's mechanism on the penis erection. Paullinia cupana, a very close species to P. pinnata, also called Guarana, is used in sweetened or carbonated soft drinks and energy shots, an ingredient of herbal teas or contained in capsules (Weinberg and Bealer, 2001).…”

“…Paullinia cupana, a very close species to P. pinnata, also called Guarana, is used in sweetened or carbonated soft drinks and energy shots, an ingredient of herbal teas or contained in capsules (Weinberg and Bealer, 2001). It was demonstrated that P. pinnata leaves and roots extracts is rich in phenolic compounds, saponins, triterpene, catechols and cardiac tannins (Bowden, 1965;Zamble et al, 2006;N'Guessan et al, 2011;Abourashed et al, 1999;Dongo et al, 2009) Adinortey et al, (2012) have studied the toxicity of the ethanolic roots of P. pinnata.…”

Studies on Ameliorative Effects of Polyphenolic Extract from Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) on Carbon Tetrachloride - Induced Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress: an in vivo Assessment

“…It has pinnate compound leaves hence the specific name 'Pinnata' with five serrated leaflets (Annan et al, 2013). The plant is popularly used in Nigeria and Ghana in the treatment of ailments like sore throat, leprosy liver dysfunction, snake bites, nausea and vomiting (Gill, 1992;Zamble et al, 2006;Jimoh et al, 2007;Nagori et al, 2010;Fred-Jaiyesimi et al, 2011). Previous phytochemical investigation carried out by Yusuff et al (2014) reported the presence of steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids in the methanol extract.…”

“…Previous phytochemical investigation carried out by Yusuff et al (2014) reported the presence of steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids in the methanol extract. Apart from the fact that P. pinnata has been proven pharmacologically to be a good anticancer plant (Tamokou et al, 2013), its methanolic extract has been reported to promote vascular relaxation through its capacity to attenuate nitric oxide oxidation and lipid peroxidation (Zamble et al, 2006).…”

Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Paulinia Pinnata on Swimming Endurance Time of Mice

“…The leaves, roots and seed are powdered together with ginger or ginger grains and applied to fractures to aid bone healing and healing of open wounds [6] and as nerve poison to cause paralysis [7]. Methanol leaveand root extracts of Pauliniapinnataare rich sources of phenolic compounds [8] while the methanol stem bark extract have been found to contain bioactive constituents which possess anti-convulsant activity [9] with a median lethal dose of 2346.42 mg/kg.…”