Mechanisms of relaxant action of 3-O-methylquercetin in isolated guinea pig trachea.

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms of action of 3-O-methylquercetin (3-MQ), isolated from Rhamnus nakaharai (Hayata) Hayata (Rhamnaceae) which is used as a folk medicine for treating constipation, inflammation, tumors and asthma in Taiwan. The tension changes of tracheal segments were isometrically recorded on a polygraph. 3-MQ concentration-dependently relaxed histamine (30 microM)-, carbachol (0.2 microM)- and KCl (30 mM)-induced precontractions, and inhibited cumulative histamine-, and carbachol-induced contractions in a non-competitive manner. 3-MQ also concentration-dependently and non-competitively inhibited cumulative Ca(2+)-induced contractions in depolarized (K(+), 60 mM) guinea-pig trachealis. The nifedipine (10 microM)-remaining tension of histamine (30 microM)-induced precontraction was further relaxed by 3-MQ, suggesting that no matter whether VDCCs were blocked or not, 3-MQ may have other mechanisms of relaxant action. The relaxant effect of 3-MQ was unaffected by the removal of epithelium or by the presence of propranolol (1 microM), 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (10 microM), methylene blue (25 microM), glibenclamide (10 microM), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (20 microM), or alpha-chymotrypsin (1 U/ml). However, 3-MQ (7.5 - 15 microM) and IBMX (3 - 6 microM), a positive control, produced parallel and leftward shifts of the concentration-response curve of forskoline (0.01 - 3 microM) or nitroprusside (0.01 - 30 microM). 3-MQ or IBMX at various concentrations (10 - 300 microM) concentration-dependently and significantly inhibited cAMP- and cGMP-PDE activities of the trachealis. The IC50 values of 3-MQ were estimated to be 13.8 and 14.3 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effects of 3-MQ on both enzyme activities were not significantly different from those of IBMX, a non-selective PDE inhibitor. The above results reveal that the mechanisms of relaxant action of 3-MQ may be due to its inhibitory effects on both PDE activities and its subsequent reducing effect on [Ca(2+)]i of the trachealis.3-MQ:3-O-methylquercetinIBMX:3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthineVDCCs:voltage dependent calcium channelscAMP:adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatecGMP:guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatePDE:phosphodiesteraseWe investigated the mechanisms of action of 3-O-methylquercetin (3-MQ), isolated from Rhamnus nakaharai (Hayata) Hayata (Rhamnaceae) which is used as a folk medicine for treating constipation, inflammation, tumors and asthma in Taiwan. The tension changes of tracheal segments were isometrically recorded on a polygraph. 3-MQ concentration-dependently relaxed histamine (30 microM)-, carbachol (0.2 microM)- and KCl (30 mM)-induced precontractions, and inhibited cumulative histamine-, and carbachol-induced contractions in a non-competitive manner. 3-MQ also concentration-dependently and non-competitively inhibited cumulative Ca(2+)-induced contractions in depolarized (K(+), 60 mM) guinea-pig trachealis. The nifedipine (10 microM)-remaining tension of histamine (30 microM)-induced precontraction was further relaxed by 3-MQ, suggesting that no matter whether VDCCs were blocked or not, 3-MQ may have other mechanisms of relaxant action. The relaxant effect of 3-MQ was unaffected by the removal of epithelium or by the presence of propranolol (1 microM), 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (10 microM), methylene blue (25 microM), glibenclamide (10 microM), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (20 microM), or alpha-chymotrypsin (1 U/ml). However, 3-MQ (7.5 - 15 microM) and IBMX (3 - 6 microM), a positive control, produced parallel and leftward shifts of the concentration-response curve of forskoline (0.01 - 3 microM) or nitroprusside (0.01 - 30 microM). 3-MQ or IBMX at various concentrations (10 - 300 microM) concentration-dependently and significantly inhibited cAMP- and cGMP-PDE activities of the trachealis. The IC50 values of 3-MQ were estimated to be 13.8 and 14.3 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effects of 3-MQ on both enzyme activities were not significantly different from those of IBMX, a non-selective PDE inhibitor. The above results reveal that the mechanisms of relaxant action of 3-MQ may be due to its inhibitory effects on both PDE activities and its subsequent reducing effect on [Ca(2+)]i of the trachealis.3-MQ:3-O-methylquercetinIBMX:3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthineVDCCs:voltage dependent calcium channelscAMP:adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatecGMP:guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatePDE:phosphodiesterase

• Authors: Wun-Chang Ko, Han-Lang Wang, Chien-Bang Lei, Chih-Hsien Shih, Mei-Ing Chung, Chung-Nan Lin
• Journal: Planta medica (Planta Med) Vol. 68 Issue 1 Pg. 30-5 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 0032-0943 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 11842323 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Parasympatholytics
• Plant Extracts
• 3-methylquercetin
• Quercetin
• Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
• Calcium

Topics

• Animals
• Calcium (pharmacology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Guinea Pigs
• In Vitro Techniques
• Male
• Medicine, Chinese Traditional
• Molecular Structure
• Muscle Relaxation (drug effects)
• Muscle, Smooth (drug effects, physiology)
• Parasympatholytics (pharmacology)
• Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases (metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Quercetin (analogs & derivatives, chemistry, pharmacology)
• Rhamnaceae
• Trachea (drug effects, physiology)