Vasodilator Compounds Derived from Plants and Their Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

The present paper reviews vasodilator compounds isolated from plants that were reported in the past 22 years (1990 to 2012) and the different mechanisms of action involved in their vasodilator effects. The search for reports was conducted in a comprehensive manner, intending to encompass those metabolites with a vasodilator effect whose mechanism of action involved both vascular endothelium and arterial smooth muscle. The results obtained from our bibliographic search showed that over half of the isolated compounds have a mechanism of action involving the endothelium. Most of these bioactive metabolites cause vasodilation either by activating the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway or by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels. Moreover, it was found that many compounds induced vasodilation by more than one mechanism. This review confirms that secondary metabolites, which include a significant group of compounds with extensive chemical diversity, are a valuable source of new pharmaceuticals useful for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery induced by (-)-epicatechin

“…The main mechanisms involved in the action of the most plant-derived vasodilators are: the activation of NO/cGMP and PGI 2 /cAMP pathways, the activation of K þ channels and blockade of voltage-dependent Ca 2 þ channels. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that about 40% of these vasodilator compounds have more than one mechanism of action (Luna-Vázquez et al, 2013).…”

The Effects of Satureja hortensis L. Dried Leaves on Serum Sugar, Lipid Profiles, hs-CRP, and Blood Pressure in Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Studies on the vasorelaxant activity of some compounds derived from different herbs determined that compounds found in S. hortensis (borneol and carvacrol) exhibited vasodilatory activity involving different mechanisms (32) 2010) performed a study on isolated rat aortas to investigate the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects of carvacrol. They suggested that the mechanisms likely involved were smooth muscle Ca 2+ sensitivity regulation and/or the inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum release of calcium.…”

Investigation of anti‐inflammatory, nitric oxide donating, vasorelaxation and ulcerogenic activities of 1, 3‐diphenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one derivatives in animal models

“…The chalcone derivatives were also used for inhibiting phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′‐monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cGMP) . Some chalcones isolated from different plants were already reported to have a vasorelaxation effect on different animal models …”