Antihypertensive effect of gomisin A from Schisandra chinensis on angiotensin II-induced hypertension via preservation of nitric oxide bioavailability

Hypertens Res. 2012 Sep;35(9):928-34. doi: 10.1038/hr.2012.50. Epub 2012 Apr 26.

Abstract

Gomisin A (GA) is a small molecular weight lignan present in Schisandra chinensis, and has been demonstrated to have vasodilatory activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of GA on blood pressure (BP) in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive mice. C57/BL6 mice infused subcutaneously with Ang II (1 and 2 μg kg⁻¹ per min for 2 weeks) showed an increase in BP with a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in plasma, and a negative correlation between these two parameters was demonstrated. In the thoracic aorta from Ang II-induced hypertensive mice, a decrease in vascular NO that was accompanied by a diminution of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as well as by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, was demonstrated. These alterations in BP, eNOS phosphorylation and ROS production in the vasculature of Ang II-treated mice were markedly and dose-dependently reversed by simultaneous administration of GA (2 and 10 μg kg⁻¹ per min). In addition, Ang II-induced ROS production in cultured vascular cells such as endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells was markedly attenuated by GA. These results suggested that GA attenuated the increase in BP via preservation of vascular NO bioavailability not only by inhibiting ROS production but also by preventing the impairment of eNOS function in the vasculature of Ang II-induced hypertensive mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II*
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclooctanes / pharmacology*
  • Dioxoles / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Lignans / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Schisandra / chemistry*
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Cyclooctanes
  • Dioxoles
  • Lignans
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Angiotensin II
  • Nitric Oxide
  • schizandrol B
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III