Cardiovascular Pharmacological Actions of Rutaecarpine, a Quinazolinocarboline Alkaloid Isolated From Evodia rutaecarpa

Evodia rutaecarpa (Chinese name: Wu-Chu-Yu) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and has long been used in Chinese medical practice. Rutaecarpine is an indolopyridoquinazolinone alkaloid isolated from E. rutaecarpa and related herbs, which has been shown to have cardiovascular biological effects, such as inotropic and chronotropic, vasorelaxant, antiplatelet aggregation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, it has been reported that rutaecarpine has beneficial effects on some cardiovascular diseases. This review was undertaken to summarize data on the cardiovascular pharmacological actions of rutaecarpine published over the recent years, aiming to provide more evidence supporting its use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review also reveals some interesting and unique pharmacological properties, which may explain its vascular and platelet effects.