Vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects of methanolic extract from roots of Laelia anceps are mediated by calcium-channel antagonism.

RMELanc-induced relaxation in aortic rings precontracted with NE, 5-HT and KCl. It also reduced NE-induced transient contraction in Ca(2+)-free solution and inhibited contraction induced by increasing external calcium. Nevertheless, the vasorelaxant effect of RMELanc was not reduced by ODQ, 1-alprenolol, TEA, glibenclamide, and 2-AP. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of RMELanc exhibited a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressures in SHR rats. HPLC analysis allowed us to detect the presence of 2,7-dihydroxy-3,4,9-trimethoxyphenantrene (1), which induced a significant relaxation effect. Therefore, our results suggest that RMELanc induces vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects by blockade of Ca(2+) channels. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.