Vasorelaxatory Effect of Vitis vinifera Extract on Rat Aorta

Reports have shown the antioxidant, hypotensive, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory effects of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed extract. We have recently shown the relaxatory effect of grape leaf extract on rat uterus and reduction of frog heart rate and contractility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relaxant effect of Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VLHE) on rat thoracic aorta contractions induced by phenylephrine and KCl and the role of aorta endothelium on this action. Rat aorta was removed and placed in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and aorta contractions were recorded isometrically. The results demonstrate that VLHE (0.125-2 mg/ml) reduces the endothelial intact aorta reconstructed by phenylephrine (1 ?M) dose-dependently (P