Effect of magnesium tanshinoate B on the production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells

• Published in: Molecular and cellular biochemistry 2000-04, Vol.207 (1-2), p.35-39
• Main Authors: O, K, Cheung, F, Sung, F L, Zhu, D Y, Siow, Y L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blotting, Western; Cardiovascular diseases; Cells; Drug Combinations; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Enzyme Induction - drug effects; Herbal medicine; Humans; Magnesium; Metabolites; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - biosynthesis; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Phenanthrolines - pharmacology; Plant Extracts; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0300-8177; 1573-4919
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1007081911734

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator which plays an important role in regulating vascular tones. Danshen, a Chinese herbal medicine has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of magnesium tanshinoate B (MTB), a compound purified from Danshen, on the production of NO in human endothelial cell line (ECV304). After cells were incubated with MTB (1-10 microM) for 1 or 4 h, amounts of NO metabolites released by cells were quantified and cellular NOS activities were determined following the conversion of [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline. The NOS protein expression was determined by Western immunoblotting analysis. MTB (1-10 microM) stimulated the release of NO and its metabolites from endothelial cells. Following MTB treatment, the cellular NOS activities were significantly enhanced with a concomitant increase in the levels of constitutive NOS (cNOS) protein mass (110-178%). Selective activation of cNOS by MTB may be employed therapeutically in modulating NO production in endothelial cells.