Abstract
BackgroundAlthough Salvia sclarea (clary sage) is widely used in aromatherapy and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. We therefore assessed whether clary sage is effective in treating endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic immobilization stress in rats.MethodsRats were intraperitoneally injected with almond oil, clary sage oil (5%, 10% or 20%), or nifedipine once daily, followed by immobilization stress (2 h/day) for 14 days. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured, as were serum concentrations of corticosterone (CORT); a biomarker of chronic stress, malondialdehyde (MDA); a biomarker of oxidative stress. Nitric oxide production was assessed by nitrite assays, and eNOS level, a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, was measured by western blotting. Endothelial dysfunction was also assayed by measuring the effect of clary sage on the contraction of rat aortae.ResultsTreatment with 5% (p = 0.029), 10% (p = 0.008), and 20% (p = 0.008) clary sage significantly reduced SBP and treatment with 20% clary sage significantly reduced HR (p = 0.039) compared with the chronic immobilization stress group. Clary sage decreased CORT serum concentration (10%, p = 0.026; 20%, p = 0.012) and MDA (10%, p = 0.007; 20%, p = 0.027), findings similar to those observed with nifedipine. In addition, 20% clary sage significantly increased nitric oxide production (p <0.001) and eNOS expression level (p <0.001) and relaxed aortic rings in rats subjected to chronic immobilization stress.ConclusionsClary sage treatment of rats subjected to immobilization stress contributed to their recovery from endothelial dysfunction by increasing NO production and eNOS level as well as by decreasing oxidative stress. Appropriate concentration of clary sage may result in recovery from endothelial dysfunction. These findings indicate that clary sage oil may be effective in the prevention and treatment of stress-induced cardiovascular diseases.
Highlights
Salvia sclarea is widely used in aromatherapy and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood
Effects of clary sage on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) in chronic immobilization stress induced rat As expected, SBP was significantly higher in rats immobilized 2 hours per day for 14 days compared with control rats (P
SBP was significantly decreased by treatment with 5% (132.02 ± 16.59 mmHg, P = 0.029), 10% (127.97 ± 22.70 mmHg, P = 0.008) and 20% (127.09 ± 12.18 mmHg, P = 0.008) clary sage compared with the stress group (152.82 ± 23.08 mmHg) after completion of 2-week immobilization (Figure 1A)
Summary
Salvia sclarea (clary sage) is widely used in aromatherapy and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. We assessed whether clary sage is effective in treating endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic immobilization stress in rats. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by reduced vasodilation, both generally and in response to specific stimuli, as well as a proinflammatory and prothrombic state [1]. Endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart failure. Chronic immobilization and vascular oxidative stress lead to endothelial dysfunction and systolic hypertension, activating the angiotensin II and AT1 receptor signaling pathway [2]. Responses to chronic stress include increased production of Endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients has been associated with decreased production of nitric oxide (NO), a key vasodilator released by the endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction may result from the reduced activity of endothelial NO synthase and the resulting decreased bioavailability of NO [1]
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