Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of a new combination therapy of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Olea europaea extracts (2 : 1; Roselle-Olive), using N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester- (L-NAME-) induced hypertensive model. Rats received L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. Concurrent treatment with Roselle-Olive (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reversed the L-NAME-induced suppression in serum nitric oxide (NO), and improved liver and kidney markers, lipid profile, and oxidative status. Furthermore, Roselle-Olive significantly lowered the elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACE) and showed a marked genoprotective effect against oxidative DNA damage in hypertensive rats. Roselle-Olive ameliorated kidney and heart lesions and reduced aortic media thickness. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry showed an enhanced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and protein expression in both heart and kidney of Roselle-Olive-treated rats. To conclude, our data revealed that Roselle-Olive is an effective combination in which H. sabdariffa and O. europaea synergistically act to control hypertension. These effects are likely to be mediated by antioxidant and genoprotective actions, ACE inhibition, and eNOS upregulation by Roselle-Olive constituents. These findings provide evidences that Roselle-Olive combination affords efficient antihypertensive effect with a broad end-organ protective influence.
Highlights
Hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which the arterial blood pressure (BP) is elevated
L-NAME-induced hypertension is a well-established experimental model characterized by generalized nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and progressive increase in BP if prolonged
As L-NAME model mimics hypertension in human, it is very suitable to study the cardiovascular effects of new agents [42]
Summary
Hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which the arterial blood pressure (BP) is elevated. It is a well-defined risk factor for many diseases such as coronary heart diseases, atherosclerosis, and stroke [1], in addition to kidney and cerebrovascular complications [2]. Hypertension becomes one of the most common preventable causes of premature mortality worldwide. It is estimated to affect approximately 1 billion individuals, according to WHO [3], and contributes to about 12.8% of all annual deaths worldwide [4]. Limited efficacy of monotherapy to control hypertension especially in a patient with complications like diabetes mellitus, poor patient adherence to drug therapy, and occurrence of side effects are among the main reasons [5]. People in the developing countries have been opted for herbal
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