Figure 2From: Polygonum viviparum L. induces vasorelaxation in the rat thoracic aorta via activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelial cells Effect of an nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NO scavenger, and guanylyl cyclase inhibitor on Polygonum viviparum (PV)-induced relaxation in isolated rat aorta. Acetylcholine (ACh) at 10 μM and 100 μg/ml PV (traces A and B, respectively) were treated after 3 μM phenylephrine (PE)-induced vasocontraction reached the maximal force in intact aorta. Prior to the addition of 100 μg/ml PV, the aorta was pretreated with 50 μM l-NAME (trace C), 5 μΜ hemoglobin (Hb) (trace D), and 10 μM methylene blue (MB) (trace E) for 6 min followed by the addition of PE. Each experiments was conducted in aortic rings of at least 5 animals.Back to article page