Endothelium-independent relaxation and contraction of rat aorta induced by ethyl acetate extract from leaves of Morus alba (L.)

Aim of the studyBased on screening for vasoactive traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, the present study was performed to investigate the vasoactive effects of an ethyl acetate extract from leaves of Morus alba (L.) (ELM) on rat thoracic aorta and the mechanisms underlying these effects.Materials and methodsIsolated rat thoracic rings were mounted in an organ bath system and the effects of ELM on their responses were evaluated.ResultsELM (0.125–32.000 g/l) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation (P < 0.01 vs. control) both in endothelium-intact and -denuded aortas precontracted by high K+ (6 × 10−2 M) or 10−6 M phenylephrine (PE). In endothelium-denuded aortas, ELM at the EC50 concentration reduced Ca2+-induced contraction (P < 0.01 vs. control) after PE or KCl had generated a stable contraction in Ca2+-free solution. And after incubation with verapamil, ELM induced contraction in endothelium-denuded aortas precontracted by PE (P < 0.01 vs. control); this was abolished by ruthenium red (P < 0.01 vs. ELM-treated endothelium-denuded group; P > 0.05 vs. control), but not by heparin (P > 0.01 vs. ELM-treated endothelium-denuded group; P < 0.01 vs. control).ConclusionsThe results showed that ELM had dual vasoactive effects, and the relaxation was greater than the contraction. The relaxation was mediated by inhibition of voltage- and receptor-dependent Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells, while the contraction occurred via activation of ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.