Abstract
Moringa oleifera (MOI) is a tree currently used in traditional medicine in tropical Africa, America, and Asia for therapeutic applications in several disorders including arterial hypertension. We previously described a cardiac protective role of a treatment with MOI seeds in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Here, we investigated the effects of this treatment on oxidative and nitrosative vascular stresses in SHR, with normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats used as controls. Oxidative and nitrosative stresses detected in SHR aortas using the fluorescent dye dihydroethidine and protein nitrotyrosine staining were reduced in MOI-treated SHR aortas. This was associated with a decrease of free 8-isoprostane circulating level, vascular p22phox and p47phox expressions, and SOD2 upregulation. Moreover, circulating nitrites and C-reactive protein, increased in SHR, were both reduced in SHR receiving MOI. This was associated to decrease iNOS and NF-κB protein expressions after MOI treatment. In functional studies, the endothelium-dependent carbachol-induced relaxation was improved in MOI-treated SHR resistance arteries. Oral administration of MOI seeds demonstrates vascular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial protective effects in SHR. Our data support the use of MOI seeds in diet against cardiovascular disorders associated with oxidative stress and inflammation such as hypertension, scientifically validating the use of these seeds in Malagasy traditional medicine.
Highlights
Hypertension is defined as a chronic elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure [1]
To assess the effect of Moringa oleifera (MOI) treatment on oxidative stress characterizing hypertensive rats, we directly assessed the in situ production and the topographical distribution of O2− in aortic sections from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and SHR MOI
As expected, compared to control WKY aortas, SHR aortas displayed a marked increase in EtBr fluorescence, reflecting elevated oxidative stress in the vascular wall (Figures 1(a) and 1(b))
Summary
Hypertension is defined as a chronic elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure [1]. High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is even identified as the leading cause of avoidable mortality and morbidity worldwide [2, 3]. The global prevalence of high blood pressure in adults is around 22% but reaches 30% in Africa where it is the main risk factor of premature death from stroke, cardiac, and renal failure [4]. The health benefits of lowering blood pressure, in particular the resulting reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, have been indisputably proven [5]. Countries of the African region are deploying effective programs and strategies, including traditional medicines, to promote detection, prevention, and control of high blood pressure
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