Abstract
Introduction: Portulaca oleracea is used as a nutritional and medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea seeds in dexamethasone -induced hypertension in rats.Methods: For induction of hypertension, dexamethasone (30 μg/kg/d, subcutaneously) was administered for 14 days. Animals received P. oleracea extract as a pretreatment at various doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d orally from 4 days before dexamethasone administration and during the test period. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were measured using tail-cuff method. The weight of thymus gland was estimated as a marker of glucocorticoid activity.Results: Dexamethasone injection significantly increased SBP (P < 0.001) while decreased the body and thymus weights (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Oral administration of P. oleracea could not prevent rising in SBP and decreasing in thymus weight. It also increased heart rate in hypertensive rats at the dose of 400 mg/kg/d (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea seeds aggregates hypertension in dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats. Hence, it should be used with caution in hypertensive patients receiving glucocorticoids.
Highlights
Portulaca oleracea is used as a nutritional and medicinal plant
Effect of Portulaca oleracea seeds extract on blood pressure Administration of dexamethasone significantly increased Systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 116.3 ± 2.7 to 152.6 ± 3.6 mmHg (P< 0.001) compared to the normal control group (122. 5 ± 1.5 mm Hg)
Captopril caused a significant decrease in SBP (P < 0.001) but pretreatment with P. oleracea seeds extract could not prevent the increase in SBP (Figure 1)
Summary
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea seeds in dexamethasone -induced hypertension in rats. Oral administration of P. oleracea could not prevent rising in SBP and decreasing in thymus weight. It increased heart rate in hypertensive rats at the dose of 400 mg/kg/d (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea seeds aggregates hypertension in dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats. It should be used with caution in hypertensive patients receiving glucocorticoids.
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