Ruta Montana Evokes Antihypertensive Activity Through an Increase of Prostaglandins Release in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to experimentally investigate the antihypertensive effect of Ruta Montana.

BACKGROUND

Ruta montana L. is traditionally used in Moroccan herbal medicine to treat hypertension. This study aimed to experimentally evaluate the hypotensive and vasoactive properties of this plant.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Ruta Montana on blood pressure parameters in LNAME-induced hypertensive rats and to determine the vasorelaxant activity of this aqueous extract.

METHODS

The antihypertensive effect of the aqueous extract obtained from Ruta montana aerial parts (RMAPAE) (200 mg/kg) was evaluated in normal and anesthetized hypertensive rats. Blood pressure parameters (systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) and heart rate were measured using a tail-cuff and a computer-assisted monitoring device. The acute and chronic effect of RMAPAE was recorded for 6 hours for the acute experiment and for 7 days for the sub-chronic test. In the other set, the vasorelaxant effect of RMAPAE on the contractile response was observed in the isolated thoracic aorta.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the RMAPAE extract significantly decreased SBP, MBP, DBP and heart rate in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Furthermore, RMAPAE was demonstrated to induce a dose-dependent relaxation in the aorta precontracted with Epinephrine or KCl. More interestingly, this vasorelaxant activity of RMAPAE seems to be probably mediated through the prostaglandins pathway.

CONCLUSION

The present study illustrates the beneficial action of Ruta montana on hypertension and supports its use as an antihypertensive agent.