Antihypertensive Effect of Euphorbia cheiradenia in Rats.

AIMS: The study aimed to investigate the effect of Euphorbia cheiradenia on blood pressure. BACKGROUND: Euphorbia cheiradenia is a medicinal plant with several medicinal properties. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the vasorelaxant and antihypertensive capacity of the aqueous extract of Euphorbia cheiradenia (E. cheiradenia), and to evaluate its effect on angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (ACE2). METHODS: The antihypertensive ability of aerial parts of the aqueous extract of E. cheiradenia (AEEC) was investigated in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, and its vasorelaxant effect was performed on the isolated thoracic rat aorta. In addition, the possible inhibitory effect of AEEC on ACE2 was also studied. RESULTS: AEEC lowered blood pressure parameters in hypertensive rats. The study of the vasorelaxant activity revealed that AEEC partially relaxed the aortic rings through activation of the KATP channel and inhibition of the ß-adrenergic pathway. Whereas pretreatment of aortic rings with nifedipine, indomethacin, L-NAME, and methylene blue did not attenuate AEEC-induced vasorelaxation. However, AEEC did not affect ACE2 in isolated rat aortas. CONCLUSION: The study showed that aqueous E. cheiradenia extract exhibits significant antihypertensive activity in hypertensive rats.

Antihypertensive and Vasorelaxant Effects of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis through Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2), and Ca2+ channels Pathways.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the antihypertensive activity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. BACKGROUND: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is used traditionally to treat hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers (AEHRS) on resting blood pressure in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, AEHRS was prepared and its antihypertensive activity was evaluated using in vivo and in vitro studies. In the in vivo study, hypertensive and normotensive rats were treated by AEHRS (100 mg/kg) orally for 6 hours in the acute treatment and for 7 days in the subchronic treatment. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure values and heart rate were then recorded using a tail cuff and a computer-assisted monitoring device. To assess the vasorelaxant activity of AEHRS, isolated thoracic aortic rings were suspended in a tissue bath and changes in tension were recorded using a data acquisition system. Potential pathways involved in the vasorelaxant activity were evaluated using several standard pharmacological agents. RESULTS: The results indicated that repeated oral administration of AEHRS during 7 days lowered systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive rats without affecting normotensive rats. Furthermore, the data revealed that AEHRS exerts vasorelaxant properties via an endothelium-independent pathway. More interestingly, the study demonstrates that the vasorelaxant capacity of AEHRS seems to be exerted through the stimulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) and the inhibition of Ca2+ channels pathway. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has a significant antihypertensive activity and that its vasorelaxant effect may be mediated through stimulation of ACE-2, and inhibition of the Ca2+ channels.

Effect of Pelargonium graveolens on Glucose Metabolism in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

AIMS: The study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic activity of Pelargonium graveolens. BACKGROUND: Pelargonium graveolens (P. graveolens) (Geraniaceae) is a medicinal plant frequently used in traditional medicine in Morocco and Algeria as remedy against a multitude of illnesses. Interestingly, it is used in the Moroccan pharmacopeia for managing diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The current study was carried out in order to assess the antihyperglycemic activity of P. graveolens in normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats, as well as to evaluate the acute toxicity of the leaves aqueous extract of Pelargonium graveolens (PGLAE). METHODS: The therapeutic effect of PGLAE at a dose of 40 mg/kg on blood glucose levels was investigated in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats after a single oral (6h) and a repeated (15 days) oral administration. The acute toxicity of the PGLAE was examined in accordance the OECD test guideline. Post-treatment, body weight, signs of toxicity, and/or mortality were observed for 14 days. Further assays such as the oral glucose tolerance test, histopathological examination and antioxidant activity was also performed according to standard protocols. RESULTS: Findings exhibited that both single and repeated oral doses of PGLAE (40 mg/kg) produced significant reduction of blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats. All treated animals survived and no apparent adverse effects were observed during the duration of the acute toxicity study. Importantly, oral LD50 of PGLAE was greater than 2000 mg/kg BW. Furthermore, a remarkable influence on glucose tolerance was also noticed after PGLAE treatment. Moreover, PGLAE was able to improve histopathological structure of liver and possesses a potential antioxidant effect in vitro. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study reports the antidiabetic effect of PGLAE in rats supporting then its traditional use for the management of diabetes.