Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular risks and an important cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Since antioxidant phytochemicals can regulate the renin-angiotensin system and lower blood pressure, F. benghalensis stem bark extract (FBE) rich in polyphenols was investigated for its ability to regulate blood pressure in normotensive and angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats. Rats were divided into four groups namely, control (saline injection), FBE (extract alone, 10 mg/kg), Ang II (Ang II alone, 0.5 µg/kg), and Ang II + FBE (Ang II + extract, 10 mg/kg). All of the treatments were administered through the intravenous route and in Ang II + FBE group, Ang II was injected 30 min after injection of the extract. Hemodynamic parameters namely, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded by the BIOPAC system after cannulation of the carotid artery and jugular vein. FBE reduced SBP, DBP, MABP, and HR to varying degrees in normotensive rats compared to the control group. In the case of angiotensin II-induced hypertension, FBE administration resulted in a significant decrease in SBP, DBP, and MABP compared to the Ang II group. SBP, DBP, and MABP were decreased to an extent of 27, 30, and 29%, respectively by FBE. It is noteworthy that FBE reduced SBP, DBP, and MABP to baseline levels suggesting significant hypotensive/antihypertensive activity. It is concluded that the antihypertensive action of F. benghalensis extract is due to the presence of phenolic compounds.
