Arctigenin, a Potent Ingredient of Arctium lappa L., Induces Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Attenuates Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-Induced Vasospasm through PI3K/Akt Pathway in a Rat Model

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:490209. doi: 10.1155/2015/490209. Epub 2015 Oct 11.

Abstract

Upregulation of protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt) is observed within the cerebral arteries of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) animals. This study is of interest to examine Arctigenin, a potent antioxidant, on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Akt pathways in a SAH in vitro study. Basilar arteries (BAs) were obtained to examine phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), phospho-PI3K, Akt, phospho-Akt (Western blot) and morphological examination. Endothelins (ETs) and eNOS evaluation (Western blot and immunostaining) were also determined. Arctigenin treatment significantly alleviates disrupted endothelial cells and tortured internal elastic layer observed in the SAH groups (p < 0.01). The reduced eNOS protein and phospho-Akt expression in the SAH groups were relieved by the treatment of Arctigenin (p < 0.01). This result confirmed that Arctigenin might exert dural effects in preventing SAH-induced vasospasm through upregulating eNOS expression via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and attenuate endothelins after SAH. Arctigenin shows therapeutic promise in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm following SAH.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arctium / chemistry
  • Cerebral Arteries / drug effects
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Furans / administration & dosage*
  • Furans / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Lignans / administration & dosage*
  • Lignans / chemistry
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / biosynthesis*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics*
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / genetics
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasoconstriction / physiology
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / drug therapy*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / genetics
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / physiopathology

Substances

  • Furans
  • Lignans
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Nos3 protein, rat
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • arctigenin