Abstract
The root of Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz has been used as a traditional medicine called “Kanghwal” in Korea (or “Qianghuo” in China). The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activity and mechanism of action of an ethanol extract of the O. koreanum root (EOK). We used isolated rat aortic rings to assess the effects of EOK on various vasorelaxant or vasoconstriction factors. EOK induced vasorelaxation in phenylephrine hydrochloride (PE) or KCl precontracted aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the vasorelaxant effects of EOK on endothelium-intact aortic rings were reduced by pretreatment with L-NAME or methylene blue. In Ca2+-free Krebs-Henseleit solution, pretreatment with EOK (0.3 mg/mL) completely inhibited PE-induced constriction. In addition, EOK (0.3 mg/mL) also completely inhibited vasoconstriction induced by supplemental Ca2+ in aortic rings that were precontracted with PE or KCl. Furthermore, the EOK-induced vasorelaxation in PE-contracted aortic rings was inhibited by preincubation with nifedipine. These results indicate that the vasorelaxant effects of EOK are responsible for the induction of NO formation from L-Arg and NO-cGMP pathways, blockage of the extracellular Ca2+ entry via the receptor-operative Ca2+ channel and voltage-dependent calcium channel, and blockage of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release via the inositol triphosphate pathway.
Highlights
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was introduced to Korea in the 6th century [1]
To investigate the effect of EOK on intracellular Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum- (SR-) induced contraction, we investigated the contractile responses induced by phenylephrine hydrochloride (PE) (1 μM) or caffeine
Preincubation with l-NAME (10 μM) decreased EOK- (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/mL) induced relaxation of endothelium-intact aortic rings precontracted by PE (1 μM) treatment (Figure 2(a))
Summary
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was introduced to Korea in the 6th century [1]. Many Korean herbal medicines (KHMs) originated as traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs). Many components of KHMs have developed independently from TCHMs because of differences in geography, climate, culture, and politics. Many KHMs different from TCHMs have been used in Korean medicine clinics. The medicinal plant O. koreanum is a perennial herb widely distributed in Korea. The root of this plant has been used as a traditional medicine called “Kanghwal.” the pharmacopoeias of Korea, China, and Japan describe this plant’s origin differently. The Chinese and Japanese pharmacopoeias list only Notopterygium incisum and Notopterygium forbesii as being of “Kanghwal” origin (“Qianghuo” in Chinese), while the Korean pharmacopoeia includes O. koreanum as being of “Kanghwal” origin [2,3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
