Schmitt Christoph A, Dirsch Verena M
University of Vienna, Department of Pharmacognosy, Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Nitric Oxide. 2009 Sep;21(2):77-91. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2009.05.006. Epub 2009 Jun 2.
Nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is recognised as a central anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic principle in the vasculature. Decreased availability of NO in the vasculature promotes the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that a growing list of natural products, as components of the daily diet or phytomedical preparations, may improve vascular function by enhancing NO bioavailability. In this article we first outline common pathways modulating endothelial NO production or bioavailability to provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic discussions. Then we comprehensively review natural products and plant extracts known to positively influence eNOS activity and/or endothelial function in vitro or in vivo. We will discuss red wine, highlighting polyphenols, oligomeric procyanidins (OPC) and resveratrol as modulators of endothelial NO production. Other dietary products and their active components known to activate eNOS include cocoa (OPC and its monomer (-)-epicatechin), pomegranates (polyphenols), black and green tea (flavanoids, especially epigallocatechin gallate), olive oil (oleic acid and polyphenols), soy (genistein), and quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in plants. In addition, phytomedical preparations made from ginkgo, hawthorn and ginseng, as well as formulations used in traditional Chinese Medicine, have been shown to affect endothelial NO production. Recurring phytochemical patterns among active fractions and purified compounds are discussed. In summary, there is increasing evidence that several single natural products and plant extracts influence endothelial NO production. Identification of such compounds and characterisation of their cellular actions may increase our knowledge of the regulation of endothelial NO production and could provide valuable clues for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
由内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）产生的一氧化氮（NO）被认为是血管系统中一种重要的抗炎和抗动脉粥样硬化物质。血管系统中NO可用性的降低会促进心血管疾病的发展。流行病学和临床研究表明，越来越多的天然产物，作为日常饮食或植物药制剂的成分，可能通过提高NO的生物利用度来改善血管功能。在本文中，我们首先概述调节内皮NO产生或生物利用度的常见途径，为后续的机制讨论提供基础。然后，我们全面回顾已知在体外或体内对eNOS活性和/或内皮功能有积极影响的天然产物和植物提取物。我们将讨论红酒，重点介绍多酚、低聚原花青素（OPC）和白藜芦醇作为内皮NO产生的调节剂。已知能激活eNOS的其他膳食产品及其活性成分包括可可（OPC及其单体（-）-表儿茶素）、石榴（多酚）、红茶和绿茶（类黄酮，尤其是表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯）、橄榄油（油酸和多酚）、大豆（染料木黄酮）以及槲皮素，槲皮素是植物中最丰富的类黄酮之一。此外，由银杏、山楂和人参制成的植物药制剂以及传统中药中使用的配方已被证明会影响内皮NO的产生。我们还将讨论活性成分和纯化化合物中反复出现的植物化学模式。总之，越来越多的证据表明，几种单一的天然产物和植物提取物会影响内皮NO的产生。鉴定这些化合物并表征其细胞作用可能会增加我们对内皮NO产生调节的了解，并可能为心血管疾病的预防或治疗提供有价值的线索。
