Finger Millet Ethanol Extracts Prevent Hypertension by Inhibiting the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Level and Enhancing the Antioxidant Capacity in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Se Yeong Park,Hyun-Joo Kim,Hyeon Gyu Lee,Eun Woo Jeong,Yun Sun Yang,Gwang-Woong Go

doi:10.3390/antiox10111766

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) contains high levels of calcium and polyphenols, which have a variety of beneficial functions. We tested the hypothesis that finger millet ethanol extracts (FEs) have an antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The study groups were assigned as follows: (1) Wistar Kyoto rats (normal); (2) SHRs treated with saline (negative control); (3) SHRs treated with captopril 50 mg/kg bw (positive control); (4) SHRs treated with FE 250 mg/kg bw (FE250); and (5) SHRs treated with FE 500 mg/kg bw (FE500). FE supplementation improved the lipid profiles, including the triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, without deterioration in liver function. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentration and superoxide dismutase activity significantly improved after the application of FE250 and FE500. Interestingly, FE250 and FE500 application dramatically reduced the systolic blood pressure. FE supplementation exhibited powerful control over the renin-angiotensin system by reducing the angiotensin-converting enzyme levels and renin mRNA expression in the kidney. Additionally, FE500 application ameliorated vascular remodeling, reversed the thickening media, and decreased the media thickness/lumen diameter ratio of the aorta. These results imply that FEs are a potent antihypertensive nutraceutical for regulating the renin–angiotensin system and simultaneously inhibiting oxidative stress.

Highlights

Hypertension is a major cause of disease worldwide [1]
The animal model used in this study was an spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) model, which is frequently used in essential hypertension research
The SHR strain was produced by selective inbreeding of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats with a high blood pressure [17]

Summary

Introduction

Hypertension is a major cause of disease worldwide [1]. The principal causes of hypertension are largely unknown in 80% of patients; this condition is known as essential hypertension [4]. Active research has been conducted to elucidate the association between the blood pressure and oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increases in patients with primary hypertension, and excessive ROS induces severe oxidative stress in the kidney and aorta [5]. Some previous studies have demonstrated a reduction in the blood pressure owing to changes in antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants decrease the blood pressure remarkably by improving the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) [6].

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Conclusion