The exact mechanism leading to enhanced production of vasodilating NO and prostaglandins, and treatment of this devastating disease remains unsettled. One of our major efforts therefore is the search of new drugs for preventing overproduction of NO and other vasodilating substances in experimental animal models of sepsis. We have identified a natural product, oroxylin A, a polyphenolic compound isolated from the oriental herbal medicine Huang Qin, is a potent inhibitor of iNOS and COX-2 expression in cell lines. A detailed examination of the beneficial effects of oroxylin A and related natural products in the treatment of sepsis syndrome and related diseases in experimental animals is currently underway. The multifaceted techniques of in vitro tissue bath, biochemical analysis of vasoactive substances, molecular biology, electrophysiology, and light and ultrastructural immunocytochemistry have been utilized to provide a relatively comprehensive study of the problems.
Nitric oxide is predominant mediator for neurogenic vasodilation in the porcine pial veins.
Nitric oxide and the cerebral vascular function. Nitrergic neurogenic control of resistance blood vessels. Birkhauser, New York, in press 7. Serotonin 5HT7 receptors mediate relaxation of porcine pial veins.