Carvacrol reduces blood pressure, arterial responsiveness and increases expression of MAS receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

AimTo analyze the effect of the use of carvacrol in the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Methods: Twenty animals were allocated in four groups, one group control Wistar receiving only sorbitol, used as vehicle of administration of the carvacrol (Wistar-Vehicle), one control group SHR, also receive only sorbitol (SHR-Vehicle), a third, treated with losartan (SHR-Losartan/50 mg/kg), and the fourth, treated with carvacrol (SHR - Carvacrol/20 mg/kg). Sorbitol, losartan and carvacrol were administered by oral gavage daily for 30-day. Hemodynamic variables, vascular reactivity, biochemical parameters, and expression of Mas and AT1 receptors in kidney tissues were analyzed. ResultsSHR- Carvacrol group showed a maximal effect of inhibition of 56% in the curve of norepinephrine. The Emax of the curves with Ca2+ were smaller in the groups SHR-losartan (40.17%) and SHR-carvacrol (35.71%) when compared to the SHR-Vehicle. The carvacrol increased the expression of the MAS receptors in kidney tissue. ConclusionThirty days of treatment with carvacrol showed an antihypertensive effect associated with less peripheral vascular resistance. Also, treatment with carvacrol increased the expression of MAS receptors in kidney tissue.