Abstract
The leaf of Acalypha torta Muell. (Euphorbiaceae) is used as folk remedy in Nigeria for the treatment of hypertension. Effects of extracts of A. torta leaf on the blood pressure of anaesthetized cats were studied to examine this claim. The ethanol extract produced a significant (p < 0.0001) and dose - dependent fall in arterial blood pressure. The extract inhibited adrenaline - induced contraction of isolated rabbit aortic strips and produced a significant (p < 0.0001) and dose - dependent increase in the rate of flow of physiologic fluid through the rat hind-quarters preparation. Both evidences indicate relaxant effect of the ethanol extract on vascular smooth muscle. Calcium chloride - induced tachycardia was abolished following administration of the extract. It had no effect on the rate of contraction of the isolated rabbit heart, but reduced the force of contraction. Column chromatography was performed and Fraction L, eluted with distilled water, was found to be responsible for the reduction in blood pressure. Key words: Acalypha torta, hypertension, antihypertensive, cat.
Highlights
The risk of elevated blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension, has been determined from several large scale epidemiological surveys and it has been reported to be a leading risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure and renal failure (Afolabi, 2000; Oladipo, 2000)
The four different extracts in addition to adrenaline and histamine were tested on five anaesthetized cats and the results calculated as arithmetic mean ± Standard deviation
The chloroform and methanol extracts at 12.5 mg/kg body wt. each did not have any effect on the arterial blood pressure of the anaesthetized cats
Summary
The risk of elevated blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension, has been determined from several large scale epidemiological surveys and it has been reported to be a leading risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure and renal failure (Afolabi, 2000; Oladipo, 2000). Many plant species including Nauclea latifolia Sm (Rubiaceae), Tridax procumbens Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) and Hibiscus sabdariffa have been used in ethnomedicine for the management of hypertension (Nworgu et al, 2008; Salghdeen et al, 2004; Carallo et al, 1997; Obiefuna and Owolabi, 1993). Extracts of these plants have been tested in various animal models and are shown to possess hypotensive properties supporting their use in the treatment of hypertension
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