Title:Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), Active Phenolic Compound of
Propolis Attenuates Endothelin, Prostaglandin F2α and U46619 Elicited
Contractions of Isolated Human Umbilical Artery
Volume: 7
Issue: 4
Author(s): Ipek Duman*, Burak Cem Soner, Salim Yalcin Inan and Ayse Saide Sahin
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, 42080,Turkey
Keywords:
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, nitric oxide, propolis, smooth muscle, umbilical artery, vascular effect.
Abstract: Background: Propolis is a product of honeybees that contains a variety of different compounds,
including caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). Propolis and its bioactive compounds are
widely used in folk medicine and as a dietary supplement. Previously, it has been shown that
CAPE has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anticancer
activities.
Objective: This in vitro study was designed to investigate the vasoactive effects of CAPE on quiescent
and precontracted human umbilical arteries.
Methods: Umbilical artery strips were suspended in aerated organ baths containing a buffer solution.
The strips were randomly allocated to study groups (n=8). Via a transducer and computer,
changes in isometric tension were recorded. The effects of cumulative CAPE (10-8-10-4M) on the
basal tone of the artery, and in different groups of strips, the vasodilatory effect of cumulative
CAPE on the constriction elicited by endothelin (ET-1), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and U46619,
and the effect of incubation with NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME, were recorded.
Results: CAPE did not alter the basal tone (p>0.05). CAPE caused significant concentration-dependent
relaxation in strips precontracted with both ET-1 and PGF2α (p<0.05) (contraction Emax with
10-4M CAPE = %73.65±12.17 and %79.83±7.20 respectively). L-NAME inhibited these relaxation
responses elicited by CAPE (p<0.05). Only the lowest concentration of CAPE (10-8M) caused significant
relaxation with U46619 (p<0.05) (contraction Emax with 10-8M CAPE = %90.23±3.19). L--
NAME completely inhibited this relaxation response (p<0.05).
Conclusion: CAPE elicits concentration-dependent relaxation on precontracted human umbilical
artery strips depending on the constrictor agent. NO plays a significant role in CAPE’s vasorelaxant
effect.
