Amelioration of Nω‐Nitro‐L‐Arginine Methyl Ester (L‐NAME)‐induced hypertension and cardio‐renal oxidative stress by the methanol bark extract of Persea americana

Abstract

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Uncontrolled hypertension causes end organ damage resulting in hypertensive cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. Traditionally, P. americana bark extract (PABE) is commonly used as a remedy for hypertension in Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the probable ameliorative effects of PABE on L‐NAME induced hypertension and cardiorenal oxidative stress.Sixty (60) male Wistar albino rats were grouped into six groups each containing 10 rats. Group A, the control, was administered potable water. Groups B‐F received orally, 40 mg/kg of L‐NAME only, 40 mg/kg of L‐NAME+100 mg/kg of PABE extract, 40 mg/kg of L‐NAME+200 mg/kg of PABE extract, 40 mg/kg of L‐NAME+400 mg/kg of PABE extract and 40 mg/kg of L‐NAME+ 0.25 mg/kg of lisinopril, respectively for 21 daysL‐NAME administration caused a significant (p <0.05) increase in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure as well as markers of oxidative stress namely H2O2, Malondialdehyde, Protein carbonyl and AOPP in cardiac and renal tissues. Immunohistochemistry showed increased expressions of CTn1, NRF2 and NFkB in the cardiac tissues and also KIM‐1, NRF2 and NFkB in the kidney tissues of the group treated with L‐NAME alone compared to the control.Treatment with PABE caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood pressure, an improvement in antioxidant defense systems, reduction in markers of oxidative stress, cardiac and renal injury and inflammation comparable with that of lisinopril.The results obtained from this study suggest the ameliorative effect of PABE on L‐NAME‐induced hypertension and cardiorenal oxidative stress and hence, its potential as an antihypertensive supplement.Support or Funding InformationTertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), NigeriaThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.