Description
L-Citrulline is a by product of NO formation from metabolism of L-arginine that exhibits tocolytic and antioxidative activities. L-Citrulline was originally found in watermelon. In isolated rat uteri, L-citrulline decreases uterine contractile force through stimulation of the NO-cGMP relaxant pathway. L-Citrulline reverses NOS inhibitor-induced neurogenic vasodilation. In animal models, L-citrulline inhibits increases in iNOS and myeloperoxidase activity, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and attenuating ischemia/reperfusion-induced gastric damage. This compound may also inhibit neutrophil infiltration in animal models of ischemia/reperfusion.