Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxant Effect of Prunus Persica Branch on Isolated Rat Thoracic Aorta

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is a popular fruit consumed by people worldwide, owing to its pleasant flavor and high mineral nutrient content. A few plants from the genus Prunus, such as Prunus yedoensis, Prunus cerasus, and Prunus serotina have shown vasorelaxant and vasodilatory effects, to date, no study has investigated the vasorelaxation effects of the P. persica branch extract (PPE). The vasorelaxant effect of PPE was endothelium-dependent, and it was related to the NO-sGC-cGMP, vascular prostacyclin, and muscarinic receptor transduction pathway. K(+) channels, such as the BK(Ca), K(V), and K(ATP) channels, were partially associated with PPE-induced vasorelaxation. PPE was effective in relaxing serotonin (5-HT)- or angiotensin II-induced contraction; furthermore, PPE attenuated Ca(2+)-induced vasoconstriction by IP(3) receptors in the SR membrane, but its vasorelaxant effect was not associated with the influx of extracellular Ca(2+) via receptor-operative Ca(2+) channels or voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels. Recognizing the rising use of functional foods for hypertension treatment, our findings imply that PPE may be a natural antihypertensive agent.