The Direct Release of Nitric Oxide by Gypenosides Derived from the Herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum

摘要: Herbal medicines are increasingly being utilized to treat a wide variety of disease processes. Gypenosides triterpenoid saponins contained in an extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum and reported be effective the treatment cardiovascular diseases; however, mechanism underlying therapeutic effect is not known. We tested hypothesis that gypenosides extracted G. elicit vasorelaxation through direct release endothelium-derived nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production bovine aortic endothelial cells grown under standard tissue culture conditions was quantitated using chemiluminescence method. Arterial vasomotion assayed isolated porcine coronary artery rings isometric recording conditions. The at 0.1-100 microg/ml elicited concentration-dependent antagonized by synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Indomethacin had no significant on pentaphyllum-induced relaxation. increase cultured cells. At concentrations utilized, there morphological evidence for cellular toxicity. These results demonstrate extracts directly stimulate release, but prostanoid production. response may one whereby this herbal medicine elicits its effects.