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Aqueous extract of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. chiisanensis ameliorates blood pressure through a nitric oxide‐dependent mechanism: in vivo and in vitro studies (681.10)

High blood pressure is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Many emerging evidence indicate that an array of plants might have a potential to regulate blood pressure by various mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the antihypertensive effects of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. chiisanensis (AE) and its active compound, Acanthoside‐D (AD), and also their underlying mechanisms on vascular actions in vivo and in vitro. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (n=10/group) were fed high‐cholesterol diet with AE or AD by gavage for 14 weeks, and their blood pressure was recorded weekly. Blood pressure was significantly reduced in the AE group compared to the control group. Consistent with this, we observed a significant reduction in arterial wall thickness by H&E staining and an activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by immuno‐fluorescence staining in the AE group. The findings in vivo were confirmed by increase of nitric oxide production and activation of PI3‐kinase‐Akt‐eNOS pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after AE treatment. Taken together, the results provide a basis for the use of AE in regulating blood pressure by enhancing endothelial function in a nitric oxide‐dependent mechanism.