Cardiovascular Disease

Dexamethasone (Hexadecadrol) is a glucocorticoid receptor agonist, apoptosis inducer, and common disease inducer in experimental animals, constructing models of muscle atrophy, hypertension, and depression. Dexamethasone can inhibit the production of inflammatory miRNA-155 exosomes in macrophages and significantly reduce the expression of inflammatory factors in neutrophils and monocytes. Dexamethasone also has potential for use in COVID-19 research.

Forskolin (Coleonol) is a potent adenylate cyclase activator with an IC₅₀ of 41 nM and an EC₅₀ of 0.5 μM for type I adenylyl cyclase. Forskolin is also an inducer of intracellular cAMP formation. Forskolin induces differentiation of various cell types and activates pregnane X receptor (PXR) and FXR. Forskolin exerts a inotropic effect on the heart, and has platelet antiaggregatory and antihypertensive actions. Forskolin also induces autophagy.

Angiotensin II (Angiotensin II) is a vasoconstrictor and a major bioactive peptide of the renin/angiotensin system. Angiotensin II human plays a central role in regulating human blood pressure, which is mainly mediated by interactions between Angiotensin II and the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and Angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R). Angiotensin II human stimulates sympathetic nervous stimulation, increases aldosterone biosynthesis and renal actions. Angiotensin II human induces growth of vascular smooth muscle cells, increases collagen type I and III synthesis in fibroblasts, leading to thickening of the vascular wall and myocardium, and fibrosis. Angiotensin II human also induces apoptosis. Angiotensin II induces capillary formation from endothelial cells via the LOX-1 dependent redox-sensitive pathway.

Paclitaxel is a naturally occurring antineoplastic agent and stabilizes tubulin polymerization. Paclitaxel can cause both mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death. Paclitaxel also induces autophagy.

Metformin (1,1-Dimethylbiguanide) inhibits the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the liver, leading to AMPK activation and enhancing insulin sensitivity, and can be used in the study of type 2 diabetes. Metformin exerts central glucose-lowering effects by inhibiting Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1) in SF1 hypothalamic neurons. Metformin also inhibits liver oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis caused by liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, Metformin regulates the expression of autophagy-related proteins by activating AMPK and inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway, thereby inducing tumor cell autophagy and inhibiting the growth of renal cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

Evans Blue (Direct Blue 53; T-1824; C.I. 23860) is a potent inhibitor of L-glutamate uptake via the membrane bound excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT). Evans Blue is a L-glutamate and kainate receptor-mediated currents inhibitor. Evans Blue has a strong affinity towards serum albumin, making it a high molecular weight protein tracer. Evans Blue is also used to study BBB (blood-brain barrier) permeability.

Intralipid 20% is a safe fat emulsion, composed of soybean oil (consisting of a mixture of long-chain triglycerides (C14-24) of predominantly unsaturated fatty acids), and egg phospholipids, can be used as a nutritional supplement. Intralipid 20% effectively inhibits the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, effectively protecting the heart from ischaemia-reperfusion injury and has some potential to modulate the innate immune response.

Uric acid is an orally active oxygen free radical scavenger that helps maintain stable blood pressure and combat oxidative stress. Uric acid can scavenge ROS, such as singlet oxygen and peroxynitrite, and inhibit lipid peroxidation. Uric acid can be used as a modeling agent in research on hyperuricemia-induced hypertension models.

Estradiol (β-Estradiol) is a steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone. Estradiol can up-regulate the expression of neural markers of human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) and promote their neural differentiation. Estradiol can be used for the research of cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and neural tissue engineering.

Yoda 1 is a potent and selective Piezo1 agonist. Yoda 1 activates purified Piezo1 channels. Yoda 1 potently inhibits macropinocytosis induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF). Yoda 1 enhances Ca²⁺ influx followed by activation of the calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 and inhibition of Rac1 activation.

L-Ascorbic acid (L-Ascorbate), an electron donor, is an endogenous antioxidant agent. L-Ascorbic acid inhibits selectively Ca_v3.2 channels with an IC₅₀ of 6.5 μM. L-Ascorbic acid is also a collagen deposition enhancer and an elastogenesis inhibitor. L-Ascorbic acid exhibits anti-cancer effects through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and selective damage to cancer cells.

GW4869 is a noncompetitive neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) inhibitor with an IC₅₀ of 1 μM. GW4869 is an inhibitor of exosome biogenesis/release.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a hormone-like substance that participate in a wide range of body functions such as the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle, the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, control of blood pressure, and modulation of inflammation.

BAPTA-AM is a well-known membrane permeable Ca²⁺ chelator. BAPTA-AM inhibits hERG channels, hKv1.3 and hKv1.5 channels in HEK 293 cells with IC₅₀s of 1.3 μM, 1.45 μM and 1.23 μM, respectively.

Cholesterol (from animal) is the major sterol in mammals. It is making up 20-25% of structural component of the plasma membrane. Plasma membranes are highly permeable to water but relatively impermeable to ions and protons. Cholesterol (from animal) plays an important role in determining the fluidity and permeability characteristics of the membrane as well as the function of both the transporters and signaling proteins. Cholesterol (from animal) is also an endogenous estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) agonist.

Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol) hydrochloride is a non-selective, orally active β-adrenergic receptor agonist. Isoprenaline has potent peripheral vasodilator, bronchodilator, and cardiac stimulating activities. Isoprenaline can be used for the research of bradycardia and bronchial asthma.

Nigericin is an antibiotic derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus that act as a K⁺/H⁺ ionophore, promoting K⁺/H⁺ exchange across mitochondrial membranes. Nigericin is a NLRP3 activator. Nigericin shows promising anti-cancer activities through decreasing intracellular pH (pHi), and inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signals. Nigericin induces pyroptosis through caspase 1/GSDMD in TNBC.

Heparin sodium salt (Sodium heparin) is an anticoagulant which binds reversibly to antithrombin III (ATIII) and greatly accelerates the rate at which ATIII inactivates coagulation enzymes thrombin factor IIa and factor Xa. Heparin sodium salt significantly inhibits exosome-cell interactions.

XAV-939 is a Tankyrase inhibitor. XAV-939 has inhibitory activity for TNKS1 and TNKS2 with IC₅₀ values of 5 nM and 2 nM, respectively. XAV-939 also is an enhancer of osteoblastic differentiation of hMSCs. XAV-939 can be used for the research of conditions associated with activated Wnt signaling, such as cancer, fibrotic diseases and conditions associated with low bone formation.

Nigericin sodium salt is an antibiotic derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus that act as a K⁺/H⁺ ionophore, promoting K⁺/H⁺ exchange across mitochondrial membranes. Nigericin sodium salt is a NLRP3 activator. Nigericin sodium salt shows promising anti-cancer activities through decreasing intracellular pH (pHi), and inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signals. Nigericin sodium salt induces pyroptosis through caspase 1/GSDMD in TNBC.