Bergamot Essential Oil Differentially Modulates Intracellular Ca2+ Levels in Vascular Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells: A New Finding Seen With Fura-2

Abstract

In this study, we compared the effect of the essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso [bergamot, bergamot essential oil (BEO)] on the intracellular Ca2+ levels in vascular endothelial (EA) and mouse vascular smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells, using the fura-2 fluorescence technique. BEO caused an initial transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) in EA cells, followed by a decrease, whereas it induced a sustained increase in [Ca2+](i) in MOVAS cells. Linalyl acetate (LA) as a major component of BEO-induced [Ca2+](i) mobilization was similar to BEO in EA cells. The increase of [Ca2+](i) by LA was higher in EA cells than in MOVAS cells. [Ca2+](i) rise induced by extracellular Ca2+ application was significantly blocked by BEO or LA in EA cells but not in MOVAS cells, suggesting that BEO and LA block Ca2+ influx in EA cells. The present results suggest that BEO and LA differentially modulate intracellular Ca2+ levels in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In addition, blockade of Ca2+ influx by BEO and LA in EA cells may explain the protective effects of BEO on endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease.