Abstract
Arterial hypertension presents a high incidence in the population, and it is a chronic degenerative disease. The roots of Serjania erecta Radlk. popularly known as “cipo-cinco-folhas”, are used as a decoction against hypertension. This plant belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is plentiful in the Brazilian swamps. The present study was designed to study the effects of daily intake of S. erecta root decoction on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and vascular reactivity in thoracic aorta rings in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The decoction was prepared from the powder of the roots at a final concentration of 5% in solution, which is an appropriate level of administration according to some modifications of the dessert test, for 32 consecutive days. The MAP and HR were measured directly and presented no changes between groups. Vascular reactivity was tested by concentration-effect curves for noradrenaline obtained from thoracic aorta rings with (+E) and without (-E) endothelium. In SHR, treatment reduced vascular reactivity (+E) (0.92 ± 0.18 vs. control SHR: 1.68 ± 0.26 g), and the presence of L-NAME abolished this effect (treated SHR: 1.94 ± 0.30 g). The aorta rings (-E) exhibited no changes. In conclusion, the decoction of S. erecta roots is effective in increasing endothelial function in SHR rats. However, under these conditions, the decoction did not change the MAP and HR. Therefore, this part of the plant promotes nitric oxide (NO) production by the endothelium, which may promote blood flow to the tissues; thus, its use is justified as adjunct for the treatment of hypertension. Key words: Serjania erecta Radlk., hypertension, endothelium function, nitric oxide.
Highlights
Hypertension is considered a chronic degenerative disease; it presents no exacerbated symptoms and has serious consequences if not treated, targeting organs such as heart, kidney, brain and eyes
The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the S. erecta root detected the presence of saponins, J
The present results show that treatment with a decoction of S. erecta roots did not reduce blood pressure in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR)
Summary
Hypertension is considered a chronic degenerative disease; it presents no exacerbated symptoms and has serious consequences if not treated, targeting organs such as heart, kidney, brain and eyes. In the countryside of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, 15% of hypertensive patients reported the use of home medications for the treatment of hypertension, and 45% of these patients reported the use of teas (Boldo, lemongrass, rosemary, garlic water) as supporting treatments, especially when they realize their arterial pressure is elevated (Péres et al, 2003). In this sense, validating plants as potential hypertension treatments might be an improvement by promoting better compliance for hypertension treatment
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