Vasorelaxant effects of Acer nikoense extract and isolated coumarinolignans on rat aortic rings.

The organic extract of the heartwood of Acer nikoense Maxim. (Aceraceae) showed vasorelaxant activity on rat aorta with or without endothelium. Coumarin [scopoletin (1)] and coumarinolignans [cleomiscosin A (2) and aquillochin (3)] were isolated as major constituents from the organic extract of the heartwood of A. nikoense. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate vasorelaxant effects on rat aorta, while 2 and 3 showed vasorelaxant effects in the norepinephrine-stimulated and also in high K+-depolarized preparations.