Biochemical parameters as indicators of antihypertensive efficacy of leaf aqueous extract of Tridax procumbens (Lin) in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease is a widespread public health problem and hypertension is one of the major risk factor. Tridax procumbens leaf extract is traditionally used in the treatment of hypertension. This study evaluate the effects of Tridax procumbens extract (TPE) on blood biochemical parameters of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertensive rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided randomly into four different treatment groups. Group I received 0.9 % NaCl (Control), Group II, III and IV were given a NOS inhibitor (L-NAME) 40 mg/kg/day, orally for 6 weeks to induce hypertension. Groups III and IV were further treated with TPE (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) respectively in the last 3 weeks of 6 weeks. Blood pressure, morphological variables, histopathology, plasma lipids, lipoproteins and cholesterol levels, hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and other parameters were analyzed. Results TPE markedly inhibited the sustenance of L-NAME-induced hypertension. This effect was accompanied by a partial or full amelioration of most of the adverse effects induced by L-NAME, such as: (1) increases in blood pressure, organs weight indices; (2) hyperlipidemia; (3) increased plasma activity of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and AST (4) liver and cardiac histological lesions. Conclusions This study provides evidence about the antihypertensive effects and end-organ protection of Tridax procumbens extract in animal model of hypertension. These effects may be due to one or more constitution in this extract