Cratoxylum Formosum extract exhibits antihypertensive effects via suppressing the renin-angiotensin cascade in hypertensive rats

Abstract

Abstract The effect of Cratoxylum Formosum (CF) extract on blood pressure and changes in vascular structure and function in hypertensive rats was studied. Rats received 40 mg/kg L-NAME and treated with CF extract or captopril or captopril + CF extract (n = 8). CF extract attenuated hypertension, enhancement of nerve-mediated contractile responses, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress markers and raised concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in L-NAME treated rats. Aortic hypertrophy associated with increases in serum ACE activity, plasma angiotensin II level, and AT1R/Akt/STAT3 protein expression in hypertensive rats were alleviated by CF extract. In hypertensive rats, captopril + CF extract administration showed greater effects on reducing blood pressure and vascular hypertrophy. Data of this study suggested that an antihypertensive effect of CF extract is linked to its antioxidant effect to enhance NO bioavailability and an inhibitory effect on RAS cascade.