Vasorelaxant activity of metabolites present in Mammillaria candida and Turbinicarpus laui in vitro cultures

In vitro cultures from Mammillaria candida and Turbinicarpus laui synthesize a wide range of antioxidant compounds, which biological effects have not been studied yet. Therefore, the aim of this work was to analyze if the metabolites present in M. candida and T. laui in vitro cultures exhibit vasorelaxant activities in aorta rings. The evaluation was performed using extracts from irradiated calluses, chitosan-elicited cellular suspensions, and their respective controls. The highest vasodilation was observed in extracts from irradiated callus of M. candida (99%) and elicited suspensions of T. laui (92%). To elucidate the mechanisms involved on the vasodilation, additional experiments were performed in the presence of N G -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, indomethacin, tetraethylammonium chloride and atropine. The vasodilation mediated by T. laui metabolites was associated to endothelium nitric oxide synthase, prostaglandin I 2 , K + channels and muscarinic receptors activation, while that of M. candida was partially mediated by K + channels. These results demonstrate that in vitro cultures of M. candida and T. laui are promising sources of pharmaceutical compounds for hypertension treatment. Key message Metabolites present on cacti in vitro cultures exerted more than 90% vasodilation on aorta ring. These cultures could be considered as a viable and efficient source of compounds for the treatment of hypertension.