Endothelial nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxant effect of isotirumalin, a dihydroflavonol from Derris urucu, on the rat aorta

Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(9):1499-500. doi: 10.1248/bpb.34.1499.

Abstract

The present work aimed to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of isotirumalin, a dihydroflavonol isolated from Derris urucu (Leguminosae). The vasorelaxant effect of isotirumalin was investigated in the rat aorta, in the presence and in the absence of a functional endothelium. The production of nitric oxide (NO) induced by isotirumalin was measured simultaneously with its vasorelaxation using carbon microsensors. In endothelium-intact aortic rings, isotirumalin induced a concentration-dependent vasodilator effect the concentration required to produce 30% of relaxation (pIC₃₀=4.84±0.24) that was abolished in endothelium-denuded aortic rings or in the presence of Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME; 300 µM). In addition, isotirumalin (100 µM) induced a simultaneous and significant increase on NO production, which was blunted in the presence of L-NAME. The present results demonstrate that isotirumalin is a vasodilator in the rat aorta and act by a mechanism dependent on the presence of a functional endothelium and on NO production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects*
  • Aorta / physiology
  • Derris / chemistry*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Flavonols / pharmacology*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 5,3'-dihydroxy-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-7,4'-dimethoxydihydroflavonol
  • Flavonols
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nitric Oxide