The Vasorelaxant Effect of p-Cymene in Rat Aorta Involves Potassium Channels

Abstract EN

The monoterpenes are the main constituents of most essential oils and p-cymene is a monoterpene commonly found in various species of aromatic herbs, which has been reported for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antimicrobial activities.

However, there is no report concerning its pharmacological activity on the vascular smooth muscle.

The aim of current work was to investigate the effects of p-cymene in isolated rat aorta and also study its mechanism of action.

In this work, we show that p-cymene has a relaxant effect, in a dose-dependent way, on the vascular smooth muscle, regardless of the presence of the endothelium.

Using a nonselective potassium channel blocker, the CsCl, the relaxant effect of p-cymene was attenuated.

In the presence of more selective potassium channels blockers, such as TEA or 4-AP, no change in the relaxant effect of p-cymene was evidenced, indicating that BK Ca and K V channels are not involved in that relaxant effect.

However, in the presence of glibenclamide or BaCl2, K ATP and K ir blockers, respectively, the relaxant effect of p-cymene was attenuated.

The data presented indicate that p-cymene has a relaxing effect on rat aorta, regardless of the endothelium, but with the participation of the K ATP and K ir channels.