Differential effects of isoliquiritigenin and YC-1 in rat aortic smooth muscle

We investigated the effects of isoliquiritigenin and YC-1 (3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole) on tension in endothelial-free rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (3 microM). Both compounds induced a concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 of YC-1 1.9 microM and of isoliquiritigenin 9.4 microM). The effects developed faster with YC-1 than with isoliquiritigenin, and the effects of YC-1 were potentiated by isoliquiritigenin (10 microM). 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (30 microM) inhibited the effect of YC-1, but not of isoliquiritigenin. These results suggest that the effects of YC-1 are due to stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase activity, whereas the effects of isoliquiritigenin are rather related to inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity.