Background
Endothelium-dependent dilatation is a predictor for vascular function. NADPH oxidase-derived O2- can inactivate nitric oxide and induce vascular injury. Method: The crude ethanolic extract of Lysimachia christinae Hance were separated out 4 fractions of different olarities by petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol (NB), and aqueous. The endothelial integrity was appraised by vascular tension measurement. Dihydroethidium was utilized to observe the vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Western-blot was adopted to detect protein expression.
Conclusions
These results suggest that the NB fraction possess the strongest vascular pharmacological activities among the crude ethanolic extract of L. christinae Hance, which may help us for purifying bioactive constituents and discovering new drugs from this herb in future.
Results
Among the 4 fractions of L. christinae Hance, the NB fraction showed the most potent capacity of promoting endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation and inhibiting ROS formation in aortic rings, which were likely attributed by suppressing the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunit (gp91phox, p47phox, and p67phox) and enhancing the phosphorylation of endothelial NOS in vascular tone. Conclusions: These results suggest that the NB fraction possess the strongest vascular pharmacological activities among the crude ethanolic extract of L. christinae Hance, which may help us for purifying bioactive constituents and discovering new drugs from this herb in future.