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Every compound in the sci-wiki that affects vasodilation; the ones you can source are floated to the front, then the reference-only entries. Tap any for the full entry, mechanism, and outlets.
22 sourced · 24 reference
Vinpocetine is a semisynthetic compound derived from vincamine, an alkaloid found in the lesser periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). It has been used for more than three decades in parts of Europe and Asia as a prescription drug for cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and dementia, and it is also sold as a dietary supplement marketed to support memory and cognition. Its regulatory status varies widely, and the clinical evidence for its benefits is limited.
Picamilon (N-nicotinoyl-GABA, pikamilon) is a Soviet-developed nootropic that fuses niacin with the calming neurotransmitter GABA into a single molecule, engineered to carry GABA across the blood-brain barrier that GABA alone cannot cross [4]. Introduced in Russia as a cerebrovascular agent, it is prized for combining gentle, non-sedating relaxation with improved blood flow to the brain [2][3]. Once inside the brain it is thought to split back into niacin, a vasodilator, and GABA, which quiets neural overactivity, an elegant two-in-one design that made it a mainstay of Russian neurology [2][4].
MNT (PMP) is a combination injectable and pre-workout formula that pairs nitric oxide precursors with a focused cognitive stack in a single shot. Arginine, citrulline, and the arginase inhibitor norvaline drive vasodilation and blood flow for a stronger pump, while citicoline, N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, and trimethylglycine sharpen focus and support drive under load. It is engineered as a two-in-one performance blend that delivers physical pump and mental clarity together.
N-Ethyl Tadalafil is a designer analog of tadalafil, the long-acting PDE5 inhibitor behind Cialis, built by modifying the original molecule. It is presumed to share tadalafil's ability to relax blood vessels and support erections, and it turns up most often as an undeclared ingredient in sexual-enhancement supplements. Because the analog itself has not been formally tested, it is best understood through the well-established pharmacology of its parent drug rather than through direct evidence.
N-Isopropyl Tadalafil is a designer analog of tadalafil, the long-acting PDE5 inhibitor sold as Cialis, differing only by a small change to one part of the molecule. Like its parent, it is presumed to relax blood vessels and enhance erections, and it has been identified as an undeclared ingredient hidden inside sexual-performance supplements. Since the analog has never been formally tested, its profile is inferred from tadalafil rather than from any dedicated clinical evidence.
Aminotadalafil (2-aminotadalafil) is a synthetic analogue of the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil, sharing the same core scaffold with a single 2-amino substitution on the diketopiperazine ring. By design it is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor intended to relax vascular smooth muscle and support erectile response through the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway. It is an unapproved research compound documented chiefly as an adulterant identified in dietary supplements and e-cigarette products, and it carries no established human efficacy or safety data [1][5].
Arginine, or L-arginine, is a conditionally essential amino acid that the body uses to build proteins and, importantly, as the raw material for making nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes and widens blood vessels. It also plays central roles in the urea cycle that clears ammonia and in the production of creatine. Healthy adults usually make enough arginine, but needs can rise during growth, illness, or injury; it is obtained from protein-rich foods and taken as a supplement for cardiovascular and exercise-related purposes.
Citrulline is a non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid named after the watermelon, from which it was first isolated. In the body it is a key intermediate in the urea cycle and a precursor to the amino acid arginine, which is in turn used to make nitric oxide. It is sold as a dietary supplement, often marketed for blood flow and exercise performance, though the evidence for those uses is mixed.
Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi that live as parasites of insects and other arthropods, with more than 200 described species distributed mainly across Asia. The genus is best known for the caterpillar fungus, long placed here but now reclassified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and for the type species Cordyceps militaris, both of which feature prominently in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Interest in these fungi centers on bioactive constituents such as the nucleoside cordycepin and various polysaccharides, though rigorous human evidence for health claims remains limited.
Ginkgo biloba, commonly called the maidenhair tree, is a gymnosperm native to East Asia and the sole surviving species of the order Ginkgoales, an ancient lineage often described as a living fossil. Standardized extracts of its distinctive fan-shaped leaves, rich in flavonoid glycosides and terpene trilactones, are among the most widely used herbal products worldwide. They are marketed chiefly to support memory and circulation, though clinical evidence for cognitive benefit remains contested.
Grape seed extract is a dietary supplement produced from the seeds of grapes, Vitis vinifera, that remain after winemaking and juice production. It is rich in proanthocyanidins, a class of polyphenolic flavonoid compounds also known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which give the extract strong antioxidant activity in laboratory tests. Marketed for cardiovascular and general antioxidant support, grape seed extract has been studied for effects on blood pressure and blood lipids, with modest findings in some trials.
Mirodenafil is a potent, selective PDE5 inhibitor developed in South Korea, where it is approved and marketed for erectile dysfunction under the brand name Mvix. Backed by multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials, it delivers reliable improvements in erectile function with a short-acting, on-demand profile and a favorable tolerability record. It stands as a well-studied, clinically validated member of the PDE5 inhibitor family beyond the familiar Western brands.
Nortadalafil, also called demethyltadalafil or n-desmethyl tadalafil, is a close structural analog of the long-acting erectile dysfunction drug tadalafil. Like its parent it is a PDE5 inhibitor, blocking the enzyme that degrades cyclic GMP so that nitric oxide signaling persists, relaxing smooth muscle and improving blood flow with the extended duration tadalafil is known for [5][6]. It has been repeatedly identified by regulators as an adulterant in supplements [1][2], and, as with all PDE5 inhibitors, it must never be combined with nitrate medications.
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor best known for treating erectile dysfunction, for which it was the first approved oral drug. Under a separate brand it is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Discovered by Pfizer and approved in 1998, it is sold most famously as Viagra and, for lung disease, as Revatio.
Theobromine is a bitter methylxanthine alkaloid and the principal stimulant compound of the cacao plant (Theobroma cacao), giving chocolate and cocoa much of their mild pharmacological activity. Chemically it is 3,7-dimethylxanthine, an isomer of theophylline and a close relative of caffeine, and it also forms in the human body as a major breakdown product of caffeine [1][3]. It has gentle effects on the heart, blood vessels, airways, and kidneys, and unlike caffeine produces little central-nervous-system stimulation; it is well tolerated in people but is toxic to dogs and some other animals [1].
The Wolverine Stack is a popular regenerative peptide combination that pairs BPC-157 with TB-500, named for the comic-book mutant famous for his near-instant healing. It brings together two of the most sought-after recovery peptides: BPC-157, a gastric peptide that accelerates tendon, ligament, muscle, and gut healing, and TB-500, a thymosin beta-4 peptide that drives cell migration and new blood vessel growth. Marketed to athletes and biohackers chasing faster injury recovery, the stack is prized for its complementary, tissue-repairing effects.
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a stable synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice, used as a research peptide for soft-tissue healing. Across a large body of preclinical work it has promoted repair of tendon, ligament, muscle, bone, gut, and nerve tissue, largely by driving angiogenesis through the VEGFR2-Akt-eNOS nitric-oxide pathway and by rerouting blood flow through pre-existing collateral vessels. Its evidence base is almost entirely animal studies, with minimal human data and unknown long-term safety, and it is prohibited in sport; it should be regarded as investigational.
Cartalax is a synthetic short peptide bioregulator, the tripeptide Ala-Glu-Asp, from the celebrated Russian family of tissue-targeted peptides studied for cellular renewal and healthy aging. Working at the level of gene expression, it has been shown to reduce markers of cellular senescence and support proliferation in aging cells. For those pursuing a science-driven approach to regeneration and longevity, Cartalax is a compelling peptide.
Minoxidil is a vasodilator that opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels, originally developed and approved in 1979 as an oral treatment for severe high blood pressure. It is a prodrug: it is inactive until the sulfotransferase enzyme SULT1A1 in the hair follicle converts it to minoxidil sulfate, so a person's follicular enzyme activity helps predict whether they respond to it. Its tendency to promote hair growth, first noticed during blood-pressure trials, led to topical formulations approved for pattern hair loss and, more recently, to a resurgence of low-dose oral minoxidil, used off-label for hair loss with attention to fluid-retention and cardiovascular safety.
Tadalafil is a long-acting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, a class of drugs that relax certain blood vessels. Sold under brand names such as Cialis and Adcirca, it is used to treat erectile dysfunction, the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is distinguished from related drugs by its notably long duration of action.
Telmisartan is an orally active angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) of the benzimidazole class, used mainly to treat high blood pressure and to lower cardiovascular risk by blocking the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. Unusually for its class it also behaves as a partial agonist of the nuclear receptor PPAR-gamma, the same target as the diabetes glitazones, which underlies its interest in metabolic disease; it also has the longest plasma half-life and highest lipophilicity of the marketed ARBs, giving persistent blood-pressure control and central nervous system penetration that has prompted study of cognitive and neuroprotective effects. It is given once daily.
Nebivolol is a beta blocker used chiefly to treat high blood pressure and, in some countries, chronic heart failure. It is highly selective for beta-1 adrenergic receptors and is often called a third-generation beta blocker because it also promotes the release of nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens blood vessels. This vasodilating property distinguishes it from older beta blockers and is thought to contribute to its blood-pressure-lowering effect.
Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), the pungent principle of mustard, horseradish and wasabi, is a dietary isothiocyanate and a potent agonist of the TRPA1 sensory ion channel. It induces phase II detoxification enzymes, shows cancer chemopreventive activity concentrated in the urinary bladder, and drives TRPA1-dependent sensory and vascular responses.
Beetroot extract is a concentrated preparation from the root of the beet (Beta vulgaris), best known as a rich dietary source of inorganic nitrate. Once consumed, that nitrate is converted in the body into nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels, and this underpins beetroot's most studied effects: modest reductions in blood pressure and improvements in exercise efficiency and endurance. It also contains the red betalain pigment betanin and is sold as juice, powder, and concentrated shots.
Citrulline malate is a compound that pairs the amino acid L-citrulline with malic acid, sold mainly as a sports-nutrition supplement. It is marketed to boost exercise performance, delay fatigue, and ease muscle soreness, combining citrulline's role in nitric oxide production with malate's part in cellular energy metabolism. Trial results are mixed, with some studies showing benefits for high-intensity exercise and others showing none.
Cocoa flavanols are a group of plant compounds of the flavanol (flavan-3-ol) family, a subclass of flavonoids, found naturally in the beans of the cacao tree [1][2]. The main members are epicatechin and catechin together with their larger cousins the procyanidins, and they are responsible for much of the interest in the possible heart and circulation benefits of cocoa and dark chocolate [1][2]. Research has linked flavanol-rich cocoa to small reductions in blood pressure and to improved function of the blood vessel lining, though the amounts present in ordinary chocolate are modest and are cut down by common processing steps [2][3].
Diosmin is a flavonoid, a plant-derived compound classed among the venoactive drugs, or phlebotonics, used to support vein and circulatory health. Chemically it is a glycoside of the flavone diosmetin and is obtained from citrus fruit, commonly by chemical conversion of the related flavonoid hesperidin. It is used, often together with hesperidin, to relieve the symptoms of chronic venous disease and hemorrhoids, such as leg swelling, aching, and bleeding. Diosmin is marketed as a prescription or over-the-counter drug in parts of Europe and as a dietary supplement or medical food in the United States.
Dong quai is the dried root of Angelica sinensis, a flowering plant of the carrot family native to the mountains of China and East Asia, sometimes called female ginseng. It is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has long been taken for women's health concerns such as menstrual and menopausal complaints and as a general blood tonic. Modern controlled studies have not shown it to be effective for these purposes, and it is sold in Western countries as a dietary supplement rather than an approved medicine. Because it contains natural coumarins, it can interact with blood-thinning drugs.
Enprofylline (3-propylxanthine) is a xanthine bronchodilator developed in Sweden as an antiasthmatic agent that relaxes airway smooth muscle more potently than theophylline while lacking meaningful adenosine-receptor antagonism. Because it barely blocks adenosine receptors at therapeutic concentrations, it is largely free of the central-nervous-system stimulation, diuresis, gastric-acid secretion, cardiac stimulation and seizure liability that characterize theophylline and caffeine, and it has been used pharmacologically as a probe to distinguish adenosine-mediated from non-adenosine effects of the classic methylxanthines. Its bronchodilator activity is attributed chiefly to inhibition of cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase and the resulting rise in intracellular cAMP. Enprofylline remained an investigational and regional agent and never achieved broad international clinical use.
Epicatechin is a flavanol, a type of plant polyphenol found in cocoa, tea, apples, and grapes. Its naturally predominant (-)-epicatechin form is thought to be the main compound behind the beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on blood vessels. It is studied chiefly for its ability to improve the function of the endothelium, the lining of blood vessels, largely by increasing the availability of nitric oxide.
Evodiamine is a naturally occurring alkaloid extracted from the fruit of Evodia (Tetradium ruticarpum), a plant long used in traditional Chinese medicine. Chemically it is an indole alkaloid and one of the plant's major bioactive constituents. It has been studied in laboratory and animal research for a range of effects, including thermogenic and anti-obesity actions resembling those of capsaicin and anticancer activity, and it is sold as an ingredient in some dietary supplements. Its effects and safety in humans, however, have not been well established.
Ginkgolide B is a diterpene lactone, one of the terpene trilactones found in the leaves and roots of the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba). It has a complex cage-like structure built from six five-membered rings and a distinctive tert-butyl group, and it occurs in only small amounts within ginkgo extracts. In pharmacology it is best known as a potent and selective antagonist of platelet-activating factor, a property that has made it a valuable research tool and a candidate in studies of inflammation and neurological conditions.
Glycerol, also called glycerine, is a simple sugar alcohol with three hydroxyl groups, a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, and syrupy liquid that mixes readily with water. It occurs naturally as the backbone of fats and oils, from which it is released during their breakdown, and it is produced on a large scale both from plant and animal fats and as a byproduct of soap and biodiesel manufacture. Because it strongly attracts and holds water, glycerol is used widely as a humectant and solvent in foods, medicines, and personal-care products, and it also serves niche roles in medicine and sports hydration.
Hawthorn is the common name for Crataegus, a large genus of thorny shrubs and small trees in the rose family, Rosaceae, found across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The leaves, flowers, and small red fruits, or haws, carry a long history in herbal medicine, most prominently as a remedy for the heart and circulation. Standardized leaf-and-flower extracts have been studied as an adjunct treatment for chronic heart failure, with mixed results.
Horny goat weed is the common name for Epimedium, a genus of flowering plants in the barberry family, Berberidaceae, most species of which are native to China. Known in Chinese medicine as yin yang huo, it has been used for centuries as a tonic and reputed aphrodisiac, as well as for fatigue and bone and joint complaints. Its principal active compound is the flavonoid icariin, which has been studied for effects on erectile function and bone.
Relaxin-2 is the principal circulating form of relaxin in humans, a small peptide hormone belonging to the insulin and relaxin superfamily. Produced mainly by the corpus luteum, and also by the breast, placenta, and prostate, it plays a central part in the physiological adaptations of pregnancy, including widening of blood vessels and remodeling of reproductive tissues. A recombinant version, serelaxin, was investigated as a treatment for acute heart failure, though large trials did not confirm a clinical benefit.
Lumbrokinase is a group of fibrinolytic enzymes extracted from earthworms, most often species such as Lumbricus rubellus and members of the Eisenia genus. These serine proteases break down fibrin, the mesh protein that holds blood clots together, which is the basis for their study as antithrombotic agents. Dried earthworm has a long history in traditional East Asian medicine, and modern lumbrokinase preparations are sold as dietary supplements in several countries.
Menthol is a naturally occurring organic compound of the monoterpenoid class, a waxy crystalline secondary alcohol best known for the cooling sensation it produces. It is obtained mainly from the essential oils of mint plants such as peppermint and corn mint, and it is also manufactured synthetically on a large scale. Widely used in topical pain relievers, cough and cold remedies, oral care products, confections, and tobacco, menthol produces its characteristic coolness by activating the cold-sensing TRPM8 receptors of sensory nerves.
Piceatannol is a stilbenoid, a naturally occurring plant polyphenol closely related to resveratrol, from which it differs by a single extra hydroxyl group. It is found in grapes, red wine, passion fruit seeds, and other plants, and the body can also form it from resveratrol. Studied mainly in the laboratory, it has drawn interest for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities and as an inhibitor of the enzyme Syk kinase, but it remains a research compound rather than an approved medicine.
Pomegranate extract is a concentrated preparation made from the fruit, peel or arils of the pomegranate (Punica granatum), valued for its high content of polyphenols. Its most studied constituents are the ellagitannins, especially the punicalagins, together with ellagic acid and the anthocyanin pigments that give pomegranate its red colour. Sold as a dietary supplement in capsule, powder and liquid forms, it is promoted for antioxidant and cardiovascular support, although the strength of the clinical evidence differs by preparation and outcome.
Propionyl-L-carnitine is an acyl ester of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring quaternary ammonium compound the body uses to move fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production. It has been studied mainly as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease and the exercise-induced leg pain known as intermittent claudication, where it is thought to correct a secondary carnitine deficiency in poorly perfused muscle. The compound is sold in parts of Europe as a prescription cardiovascular agent, though it has not been approved for use in the United States.
Pycnogenol is a trademarked dietary supplement made from the bark of the French maritime pine, Pinus pinaster, standardized to a high content of procyanidins. Rich in plant polyphenols that act as antioxidants, it is marketed for a wide range of conditions from circulation problems to skin health. Independent reviews of the clinical trials, however, have concluded that the evidence is not strong enough to confirm a benefit for any specific disorder. It is sold as a supplement rather than an approved medicine.
Rutin is a flavonoid, specifically a glycoside formed from the flavonol quercetin joined to the sugar rutinose. It occurs widely in plants, with notably high levels in buckwheat, and is also found in citrus fruits, tea, apples, and many vegetables. Sold as a dietary supplement and used in some vasoprotective preparations, it is studied mainly for its antioxidant properties and its possible effects on veins and capillaries.
Sapropterin is a synthetic form of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a naturally occurring cofactor for the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase and other aromatic amino acid hydroxylases. Sold as sapropterin dihydrochloride under the brand name Kuvan, it is an orphan drug used together with dietary control to lower blood phenylalanine in people with BH4-responsive phenylketonuria and in tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency. Only a portion of people with phenylketonuria respond to it, since it works by boosting residual enzyme activity.
Vinburnine, also known as eburnamonine, is an indole alkaloid of the eburnamine-vincamine family, related to vincamine and found in plants of the Apocynaceae family. It has been used in some countries as a cerebral vasodilator intended to improve blood flow and oxygen use in the brain, particularly in older adults with cognitive or circulatory complaints. It is chemically related to the better-known compounds vincamine and vinpocetine.
Vincamine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid obtained mainly from the leaves of the lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor). It has been used as a cerebral vasodilator to improve blood flow to the brain and is taken for cognitive and cerebrovascular complaints, being available in parts of Europe as a prescription vasodilator and elsewhere as a dietary supplement. It is best known as the parent compound of the semisynthetic derivative vinpocetine.