Introduction: Studies report that some gestational syndromes can lead to inadequate placental perfusion, which, when associated with an increase in fetal-placental vascular resistance, can result in a progressive decrease in diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery. With vascular resistance established in the umbilical vessels, insufficient blood flow to the fetus may occur, giving rise to numerous consequences for the fetus. Given this scenario, the importance of seeking vasoactive substances, such as those derived from natural products, to attenuate or inhibit the effects caused by this disorder has been recognized. Citral is a derivative of a natural product, classified as an acyclic monoterpene, composed of two isomeric aldehydes: geranial and neral. It is found as the major component of the essential oil of various aromatic plants. The literature documents that it promotes a vasorelaxant effect in the aorta of rats. Aims: Thus, this study aims to evaluate the inhibitory effect of citral on calcium-induced contractions in human umbilical arteries (HUA) from normotensive and preeclamptic parturients. Methods: The project is under the approval of the Ethics Committee (CEP No. 3,832,881). Normotensive and preeclamptic HUAs were collected, cleaned, isolated, sectioned into 3 to 4 mm length rings, and mounted in chambers for isolated organ baths containing Krebs Henseleit nutrient solution. The preparations were then subjected to a 2-hour stabilization period under a tension of 3.0 gf, followed by exposure to zero calcium Krebs Henseleit solution (0Ca2+). Subsequently, citral at concentrations of 100, 300, or 1000 µM was added to the preparation, and its effects were expressed in concentration-response curves as calcium (0.1-30 mM) was cumulatively added. The data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Results and Discussion: It was observed that citral exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on calcium-induced contractions in HUA from normotensive and preeclamptic parturients, with the most effective concentration of citral in inhibiting contractions being 1000 µM. Conversely, the concentration of 100 µM in preparations from HUA from preeclamptic parturients potentiated calcium-evoked contractions (3 - 10 mM). Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that citral has a vasodilatory effect on HUA from normotensive and preeclamptic parturients, and this effect may occur through the blockade of calcium channels. These data suggest that citral has therapeutic potential for contractile dysfunctions in the feto-placental circulation.
Acknowledgments The development of this research was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES); Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (FUNCAP). Funding code BPI: BP3. 00139-00072.0200/18; and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).
Comissão Organizadora
Francisco Mendonça Junior
Pascal Marchand
Teresinha Gonçalves da Silva
Isabelle Orliac-Garnier
Gerd Bruno da Rocha
Comissão Científica
Ricardo Olimpio de Moura
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