Abstract
<p>This study was aimed to investigate the effect of the extract of <em>Mentha longifolia</em> on blood pressure and the possible mechanisms. In anesthetized rats, the crude extract of <em>M. </em>longifolia and aqueous and chloroform fractions caused a dose-dependent fall in mean arterial pressure. Atropine pretreatment abolished the effect of extract and aqueous fraction but did not change that of chloroform fraction. In rabbit aortic rings, crude extract relaxed phenylephrine (1 µM) and high K<sup>+</sup> (80 mM) pre-contractions. Chloroform fraction was more potent against high K<sup>+</sup>, similar to verapamil and caused a rightward shift in the Ca<sup>++</sup> concentration-response curves. Aqueous fraction partially relaxed high K<sup>+</sup> pre-contractions. In rat aortic rings, crude extract and aqueous fraction-induced endothelium-dependent atropine-sensitive vasodilator effect. Extract and fractions also relaxed high K<sup>+</sup> precontractions. In guinea-pig atrial strips, crude extract and chloroform fraction suppressed force and rate of contractions, similar to verapamil. In conclusion, <em>M. </em>longifolia lowers blood pressure through Ca<sup>++</sup> channel blockade and atropine-sensitive-NO pathway.</p><p><strong>Video Clip:</strong></p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/v/Fz0MrZ6q2WI">Experiment using aorta:</a> 2 min 35 sec </p>
Highlights
Mentha longifolia L., is an aromatic perennial herb, commonly known as "wild mint", found in the Northern areas of Pakistan (Baquar, 1989)
The crude extract of M. longifolia caused a dose-dependent fall in mean arterial pressure
The aqueous fraction was found more efficacious in lowering mean arterial pressure than the parent crude extract or the chloroform fraction (Figure 1)
Summary
Mentha longifolia L., (family; Labiatae), is an aromatic perennial herb, commonly known as "wild mint", found in the Northern areas of Pakistan (Baquar, 1989). The family Labiatae is one of the major sources of culinary, vegetable and medicinal plants all over the world (Farzaneh et al, 2005). The plant is well known in traditional medicine system (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, 1977) and has been used in heart diseases (Duke, 1997). The plant has a reputation for its medical use in other conditions, such as diarrhea, gut spasm (Amini, 1997), indigestion and flatulence (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962; Duke, 2002). The plant has been traditionally used in the management of heart diseases but current literature lacks scientific evidence for its use in these conditions
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