ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the vasoconstriction effect of Ixeris sonchifolia in rat thoracic aortic rings and the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>I. sonchifolia 10-160 g x L(-1) was cumulatively added into organ bath to observe the isometric tension of thoracic aortic rings with intact endothelium or denuded endothelium in basal tension, preconstricted by phenylephrine (PE) or potassium chloride (KCl), and thoracic aortic rings with intact endothelium preincubated frist with captopril, phosphoramidon and indomethacin, respectively, then preconstricted by PE and KCl. The response was recorded and expressed by "relative contraction".</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Cumulative administration of I. sonchifolia 10-160 g x L(-1) did not affect the vasomotion of aortic rings with endothelium or without endothelium in basal tension. Exposure of intact endothelium rings preconstricted by PE or KCl to I. sonchifolia at concentration (20-160 g x L(-1) induced a significant constriction, which was inhibited by preincubation with captopril, but was not inhibited by preincubation with phosphoramidon or indomethacin. Exposure of endothelium-denuded rings preconstricted by PE or KCl to I. sonchifolia at concentration (10 to approximately 160 g x L(-1) did not effect the vasoconstriction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results indicate that I. sonchifolia (20 to approximately 160 g x L(-1) can contract the rat thoracic aortic rings with endothelium. The effect of contraction may enhance angiotensin converting enzyme activity and promote endothelium to synthesize angiotensin II. It has no relationship to endothelin or thromboxane A2.</p>