Vasodilator effect of Phlomis bracteosa constituents is mediated through dual endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent pathways.

This study describes the vasorelaxant potential of some pure compounds isolated from Phlomis bracteosa L. marrubiin, phlomeoic acid, and two new constituents labeled as RA and RB. In rat thoracic aortic rings denuded of endothelium, marrubiin, phlomeoic acid, RA, and RB caused relaxation of high K(+) (80 mM) and phenylephrine (1 μM)-induced contractions at the concentration range of 1.0-1000 μg/mL. Marrubiin, phlomeoic acid, RA, and RB concentration dependently (3.0-10 μg/mL) shifted the Ca(++) curves to the right obtained in Ca(++)-free medium. The vasodilator effect of marrubiin, phlomeoic acid, RA, and RB was partially blocked by N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in endothelium-intact aorta preparations. These results reveal that P. bracteosa constituents: marrubiin, phlomeoic acid, RA, and RB exhibit vasodilator action occurred via a combination of endothelium-independent Ca(++) antagonism and endothelium-dependent N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-sensitive nitric oxide-modulating mechanism.