Abstract
Carveol is a monoterpene present in the structure of many plant products. It has a variety of biological activities: antioxidant, anticancer and vasorelaxation. However, studies investigating the effect of monoterpenoids on human vessels have not yet been described. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize the effect of (−)-carveol on human umbilical arteries (HUAs). HUA ring preparations were isolated and subjected to isometric tension recordings of umbilical artery smooth muscle contractions. (−)-Carveol exhibited a significant vasorelaxant effect on KCl and 5-HT-induced contractions, obtaining EC50 values of 344.25 ± 8.4 and 175.82 ± 4.05 µM, respectively. The participation of calcium channels in the relaxation produced by (−)-carveol was analyzed using vessels pre-incubated with (−)-carveol (2000 µM) in a calcium-free medium, where the induction of contractions was abolished. The vasorelaxant effect of (−)-carveol on HUAs was reduced by tetraethylammonium (TEA), which increased the (−)-carveol EC50 to 484.87 ± 6.55 µM. The present study revealed that (−)-carveol possesses a vasorelaxant activity in HUAs, which was dependent on the opening of calcium and potassium channels. These results pave the way for further studies involving the use of monoterpenoids for the vasodilatation of HUAs. These molecules have the potential to treat diseases such as pre-eclampsia, which is characterized by resistance in umbilical arteries.
Highlights
Over the years, science has shown that natural products are a source of numerous substances with different chemical structures, which can be used in different biological studies [1]
In these preparations, (−)-carveol reduced the human umbilical arteries (HUAs) basal tone by up HUA pre-contracted rings in a concentration-dependent manner; this relaxation was statistically significant from 100 μM. In these conditions, (−)-carveol presented a rightward shift in the curve, increasing the EC50 to 344.25 ± 5.41 μM
This demonstrates that (−)-carveol was less potent at relaxing rings pre-contracted with KCL
Summary
Science has shown that natural products are a source of numerous substances with different chemical structures, which can be used in different biological studies [1]. Plants are capable of producing secondary bioactive metabolites that have great potential to interact with biological molecules. Molecules 2020, 25, 2681 terpenoids, which constitute the largest secondary metabolite group. They have been shown to be bioactive in different animal models [3]. Carveol has been shown to be an interesting compound with pharmacological activities, which include a repellent effect when used against Anopheles gambiae [5], a nematocidal action against Meloidogyne incognita [6] and antibacterial activity [7]. Carveol has shown a myorelaxant effect in isolated rat aorta sections in smooth muscle studies [12]. Vasorelaxant effects have not been described in human tissues
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