Abstract
OBJECTIVE: There are some reports on hypotensive and antispasmodic effects of Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae) (TP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The activity of different concentrations of TP extract (1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml) was evaluated on contractile responses of isolated aorta to potassium chloride (KCl) and phenylephrine (PE). RESULTS: The cumulative concentrations of the extract induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in the aorta precontracted by PE and KCl. Extract-induced vasorelaxations in denuded aortic rings precontracted by PE and KCl at lower concentrations were considerably less than intact aortic rings, but this effect was significantly more at concentrations of 4 mg/ml for PE-, 4 and 8 mg/ml for KCl-induced contractions. All the extract concentrations (except 1 mg/ml) significantly relaxed PE-induced contraction in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Indomethacin reduced effectively extract-induced vasorelaxation at 1 and 2 mg/ml. The extract reduced PE- and KCl-induced contractions in the presence of cumulative calcium concentrations and after incubation with diltiazem; this vasorelaxant effect of TP was decreased. TP-induced relaxation was inhibited by heparin, ruthenium red, glibenclamide, and tetraethylammonium, but 4-aminopyridine had no effect on TP-induced relaxation. CONCLUSION: TP extract has vasorelaxant effect on isolated rat thoracic aorta which mediated by endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent mechanisms. The relaxation mainly was mediated by inhibition of calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle cells. It seems that the vasorelaxant effect of extract at lower concentrations was mediated by nitric oxide and prostacyclin. SUMMARY: The vasodilatory effect of Teucrium polium L. was mediated by several mechanisms. First: Teucrium polium L. inhibited receptor operated ROCC and VDCC. Second: Teucrium polium L. also inhibited KATP and KCa channels. Third: Teucrium polium L. blocked IP3 receptor and reduced the release of calcium from intracellular source. Forth: Teucrium polium L. increased the release on NO and PGI2 from endothelial cells. Abbreviations Used: ROCC: Receptor operated calcium channels, VDCC: Voltage dependent calcium channels, PLC: Phospholipase C, IP3: 1,4,5 triphosphate inositol, IP3R: IP3 receptors, SR: sarcoplasmic reticulum, RYR: ryanodine receptors, K+ATP: ATP-sensitive potassium channel, K+Ca: Calcium-activated potassium channel, cAMP: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cGMP: Cyclic guanosine monophosphate, PGI2: Prostaglandin I2, NO: Nitric oxide.