Vasorelaxant properties of Vernonia amygdalina ethanol extract and its possible mechanism

Context:Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) (Asteraceae) is commonly used to treat hypertension in Malaysia. Objective: This study investigates the vasorelaxant mechanism of VA ethanol extract (VAE) and analyzes its tri-step FTIR spectroscopy fingerprint. Materials and methods: Dried VA leaves were extracted with ethanol through maceration and concentrated using rotary evaporator before freeze-dried. The vasorelaxant activity and the underlying mechanisms of VAE using the cumulative concentration (0.01–2.55 mg/mL at 20-min intervals) were evaluated on aortic rings isolated from Sprague Dawley rats in the presence of antagonists. Results: The tri-step FTIR spectroscopy showed that VAE contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. VAE caused the relaxation of pre-contracted aortic rings in the presence and absence of endothelium with EC(50) of 0.057 ± 0.006 and 0.430 ± 0.196 mg/mL, respectively. In the presence of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (EC(50) 0.971 ± 0.459 mg/mL), methylene blue (EC(50) 1.203 ± 0.426 mg/mL), indomethacin (EC(50) 2.128 ± 1.218 mg/mL), atropine (EC(50) 0.470 ± 0.325 mg/mL), and propranolol (EC(50) 0.314 ± 0.032 mg/mL), relaxation stimulated by VAE was significantly reduced. VAE acted on potassium channels, with its vasorelaxation effects significantly reduced by tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, barium chloride, and glibenclamide (EC(50) 0.548 ± 0.184, 0.158 ± 0.012, 0.847 ± 0.342, and 0.304 ± 0.075 mg/mL, respectively). VAE was also found to be active in reducing Ca(2+) released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and blocking calcium channels. Conclusions: The vasorelaxation effect of VAE involves upregulation of NO/cGMP and PGI(2) signalling pathways, and modulation of calcium/potassium channels, and muscarinic and β(2)-adrenergic receptor levels.