Summary
Plant-derived bioflavonoids have been recognized to support arterial wall structural integrity and interfere with a variety of pro-atherosclerotic stimuli. This study examined the effect of various bioflavonoids on angiotensin II-stimulated contraction by human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) embedded in a three-dimensional collagen matrix. Bioflavonoid inhibition of SMC contraction was found to be dependent upon structural characteristics with EGCG and quercetin showing the greatest inhibition at 97% and 120%, respectively. These results are significant since they imply that plant derived bioflavonoids have a great potential in controlling hypertension by counteracting pathophysiological effects of angiotensin.
References
Ramón Rodrigo, Hernán Prat, Walter Passalacqua, Julia Araya, Jean P Bächler