Antihyperlipidemic effect and GC-MS analysis of phytoconstituents from Laurus nobilis essential oil in rat.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Laurus nobilis (L. nobilis) essential oil (EOs) (80 mg/kg) on Triton WR-1339-induced dyslipidemia in Wistar rats. The effect of L. nobilis essential oil (80 mg/kg) on lipid and lipoprotein profile was examined on Triton WR-1339-induced dyslipidemia in rats. Furthermore, the phytochemical evaluation was performed by GC-MS. In Addition, the acute toxicity of this EO was evaluated at a dose of 2 g/kg. The results revealed that the main constituents of L. nobilis EO were 1,8-cineole (39.5%), linalool (13.09%), and a-terpineol (11.55%). Furthermore, the EO did not cause any signs of toxicity or mortality, and the acute lethal dose 50 (LD50) was estimated to be higher than 2 g/kg. L. nobilis EO ameliorated lipid parameters and atherogenic indices. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that L. nobilis essential oils possess antidyslipidemic activity in acute model of hyperlipidaemia.

Antihypertensive and ACE-2 Inhibitory Effects of Daphne gnidium in Rats.

AIMS: The antihypertensive activity of Daphne gnidium was tested. BACKGROUND: Daphne gnidium (Thymelaeaceae) is used against hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The antihypertensive effect of Daphne gnidium was evaluated in this study. METHODS: The effect of Daphne gnidium aqueous extract (DGAE, 100 and 180 mg/kg) on blood pressure was evaluated in rats. In addition, the vasorelaxant effect of this extract was also tested. RESULTS: DGAE lowered blood pressure in hypertensive rats and exhibited vasorelaxant activity. In addition, cumulative concentrations of DGAE induced vasodilatation through receptoractivated calcium channels (ROCCs) without affecting ACE-2. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Daphne gnidium exhibits antihypertensive activity and induces vasodilatation via the inhibition of Ca2+ entry.

A Comprehensive Overview of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: Its Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, Therapeutic Uses, Pharmacological Activities, and Toxicology.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (H. rosa-sinensis) has been largely used in traditional medicine. This study aims to review the pharmacological and phytochemical properties of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L and also summarize the pharmacological, photochemical, and toxicological characteristics of H. rosa-sinensis. The current review focuses on the distribution, chemical content, and main uses of H. rosa-sinensis. Various scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc., were used. Correct plant names were verified from plantlist.org. The results were interpreted, analyzed, and documented based on bibliographic information. This plant has been frequently used in conventional medicine due to its high concentration of phytochemicals. All its parts contain numerous chemical compounds, such as flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, anthocyanins, saponins, cyclopeptide alkaloids, and vitamins. More interestingly, the roots of this plant contain glycosides, tannins, phytosterols, fixed oils, fats, flavonoids, saponins, gums, and mucilages. The leaves contain alkaloids, glycosides, reducing sugars, fat, resin, and sterols. The stem contains other chemical compounds, such as ß-sitosterol, teraxeryl acetate, cyclic sterculic, and malvalic acids. Finally, the flowers contain riboflavin, thiamine, apigenidine, oxalic acid, citric acid, quercetin, niacin, pelargonidine, and ascorbic acid. This species has a wide variety of pharmacological applications, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antifertility, antifungal, anticancer, hair growth-promoting, antihyperlipidemic, reproductive, neurobehavioral, antidepressant, and antipyretic activities. Finally, toxicological studies have shown that higher doses of extracts from the plant are safe.

Potential Antihypertensive Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Ammi visnaga and its Effect on ACE-2 in Rats.

AIMS: This work aimed to investigate the antihypertensive activity of Ammi visnaga. BACKGROUND: The aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga has traditionally been used to treat hypertension in Morocco. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of Ammi visnaga aqueous extract (AVAE) on arterial blood pressure, systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) in normotensive and hypertensive rats. In addition, the effect of the aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga on vasodilatation was assessed in isolated rat aortic rings with functional endothelium pre-contracted with epinephrine EP or KCl. METHODS: AVAE was obtained, and its antihypertensive ability was pharmacologically investigated in L-NAME hypertensive and normotensive rats. The rats received oral AVAE at two selected doses of 70 and 140 mg/kg for six hours (acute experiment) and seven days (sub-chronic). Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated. Moreover, the vasorelaxant activity of AESA was performed in thoracic aortic ring rats. In addition, the mechanisms of action involved in the vasorelaxant effect were studied. RESULTS: AVAE lowered blood pressure only in L-Name-induced hypertensive rats. Furthermore, AVAE (0.375-1.375 mg/ml) showed a vasodilator effect in isolated aortic rats. In addition, not all of the medications used in our study were responsible for the signaling pathway. As a result, additional pharmaceuticals are required to confirm the mechanism of this signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga exerts an interesting antihypertensive activity, which could be mediated through its vasorelaxant activity. The study supports its use as a medicinal plant against hypertension in Morocco.

Antidiabetic Effect of Star Anise (Illicium verum) in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

AIM: The current study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of Illicium verum fruits. BACKGROUND: Illicium verum fruits are frequently used by the Moroccan population in the treatment of diabetes. METHODS: The antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Illicium verum fruits (AEIVF) in rats was assessed. The effects of AEIVF (20 mg/kg) on glycemia and lipid profile as well as its phytochemical and antioxidant properties were evaluated. RESULTS: In normal and diabetic rats, AEIVF reduced blood glucose levels 6 hours after administration. Furthermore, after 7 days of treatment, glycemia was lowered in diabetic rats, and this extract exhibited an antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The study shows that Illicium verum possesses a potent antidiabetic activity. In addition, the toxicity of AEIVF was evaluated and the LD50 value was found to be greater than the 2 g/kg dose.

Antidiabetic and Antidyslipidemic Effects of Artemisia mesatlantica, an Endemic Plant from Morocco.

AIMS: The study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activities of Artemisia mesatlantica. BACKGROUND: Artemisia mesatlantica is an endemic plant of Morocco used in traditional medicine as an alternative treatment for diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to examine the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemicability of aqueous extract of Artemisia mesatlantica (AMAE) in experimental animal models. METHODS: The effect of the single and repeated oral administration (7 days of treatment) of AMAE (60 mg/kg) on blood glucose and lipid profile were assessed in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, to confirm the antidyslipidemic effect of Artemisia mesatlantica, a model of hyperlipidemia induced by tyloxapol (Triton WR-1339) in rats was used. RESULTS: The AMAE (60 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce glycaemia, improve lipid profile and increase hepatic glycogen content in STZ-induced diabetic rats. In addition, pretreatment of rats for 7 consecutive days with an aqueous extract of Artemisia mesatlantica (600 mg/kg) prior to tyloxapol injection prevented increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c. CONCLUSION: From these observed results, it can be deduced that Artemisia mesatlantica possesses remarkable antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties.