PS-B04-11: THE EFFECTS OF PLANT-DERIVED COMPOUNDS AND PLANT EXTRACTS ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN AN AVP INDUCED RAT MODEL OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Objective: In resource-limited settings, such as South Africa, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia (PE), is the most common direct cause of maternal deaths. Current management of PE includes the use of pharmaceutical drugs, which are frequently associated with major side-effects and not cost effective. Globally, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are widely used antihypertensive drugs. As a result, patients are reliant on traditional medicine obtained from medicinal plants to manage hypertension related issues. Hence, this study aimed to determine the anti-hypertensive effects of the plant derived bioactive compounds (hesperidin and nicotinamide) and medicinal plant extract (Dombeya rotundifolia ) in a Sprague Dawley rat model induced with arginine vasopressin (AVP). Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 30; pregnant AVP saline (PAVPS), pregnant AVP hesperidin (PAVPH), pregnant AVP nicotinamide (PAVPN), pregnant AVP Dombeya rotundifolia (PAVPP), and positive control; pregnant AVP captopril (PAVPC) received a continuous dose of AVP (200 ng/h) via subcutaneous mini osmotic pumps for 18 days. Treatment groups were orally dosed with either 200 mg/kg/BW of the bioactive compounds; the plant extract; or 40 mg/kg/BW of captopril over a 2-week period. Blood pressure was recorded throughout gestation and fetal and placental weights were taken following sacrifice. Results: Treatment groups (PAVPH, PAVPN and PAVPP) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in AVP treated rats when compared to the control group (PAVPS). Furthermore, urine output differed significantly in the AVP-treated vs the treatment groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, placental, and individual pup weight were significantly different in the PAVPS vs PS and treatment groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that Hesperidin, Nicotinamide and Dombeya rotundifolia have the potential to cause a blood pressure lowering effect. Thus, these bioactive compounds and extract may be considered as potential molecules in the development of new naturally occurring pharmaceutical products, as a means to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.