Tetrandrine and related bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from medicinal herbs: cardiovascular effects and mechanisms of action

摘要

＜正＞ Tetrandrine （TET）, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid purified and identified an active ingredient in a Chinese medicinal herb, Radix Stephanae tetrandrae, has been used traditionally for the treatment of congestive circulatory disorder and inflammatory diseases. TET, together with a few of its structural analogues, has long been demon-strated to have antihypertensive action in clinical as well as animal studies. Presumably, the primary anti-hyperten-sive action of TET is due to its vasodilatory properties. TET prevents or inhibits vascular contraction induced by membrane depolarization with KC1 or α-adrenoceptor activation with phenylephrine （PE）. TET （30 μmol/L） also inhibits the release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide （NO） as well as NO production by inducible NO synthase. TET apparently inhibits multiple Ca2+ entry pathways as demonstrated in cell types lacking the L-type Ca2+ channels. In cardiac muscle cells, TET inhibits both L- and T-type Ca2+ channels. In addition to its actions on cardiov