Antihypertensive Effects of the Methanol Extract and the Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Crinum zeylanicum (Amaryllidaceae) Leaves in L-NAME-Treated Rat

Abstract

Arterial hypertension (AHT) is a leading cardiovascular disease, with a high negative impact on the quality of life. Crinum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) leaves extract is used in the West region of Cameroon to treat AHT and heart problems. This study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive effect of C. zeylanicum extract in Nω-nitro-L‐arginine methyl ester- (L‐NAME-) induced hypertensive rats. The aqueous extract of C. zeylanicum (LAE) was obtained by lyophilizing the juice of triturated fresh leaves. The methanol extract (LME) prepared by maceration of the dried leaves was further partitioned to chloroform (LCF), ethyl acetate (LEAF), and residual (LRF) fractions. The total polyphenol, flavonoid content, and antiradical potentials of these extracts were determined. The curative antihypertensive and renal function protective effects of LME and LEAF were evaluated in vivo on L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced in rats by oral administration of L-NAME (30 mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive weeks. Thereafter, plant extracts were administered orally at the doses of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/day, concomitantly with L-NAME for three other weeks. Body weight, heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were measured at the end of each week throughout the experimental period. At the end of the treatment, 24-hour urine and plasma were collected to assay nitric oxide (NO), creatinine, and protein. The results revealed that LEAF has the higher content of total polyphenol and flavonoid and exhibited the best antiradical potential. Moreover, treatment of hypertensive rats with LME and LEAF significantly ( p < 0.001 ) reduced AHT and heart rate. LME and LEAF significantly increased rat’s body mass, plasmatic NO, and urinary creatinine and reduced urine NO and protein contents as compared to the L-NAME group. LME and its LEAF possess potent antihypertensive effects and further protect the renal function in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, thus supporting the use of C. zeylanicum in the management of AHT.

Assessment of the In Vitro Cytotoxicity Effects of the Leaf Methanol Extract of Crinum zeylanicum on Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Cardiomyocytes Derivatives

“…In conclusion, this study led us to identify a not previously described critically important functional effect of methanol extract of CZE on cell proliferation, and cardiac specification and function, thus providing, at least in part, a scientific basis to validate the utilization of CZE in the treatment of various diseases. The observed in vitro actions of CZE revealed by this study may be attributed to its high content in metabolites, such as alkaloids and flavonoids [7,20]. However, these actions cannot only be attributed to a single constituentfound in CZE extract, but might be due to the synergistic interaction of individual secondary metabolites or constituents of this plant.…”

“…Therefore, they represent a suitable tool for regenerative medicine and to assess the efficacy and effectivity of any potential compounds and to test medicinal plants used as traditional treatments for numerous diseases around the world [1,9]. Considering this advantage, we investigated the effects of Crinum zeylanicum methanolic extracts (CZE), a bulbous plant of the family Amaryllidaceae, widely used in traditional medicine in West Cameroon [7], using pluripotent stem cells and their CM derivatives.…”

“…For example, alkaloids and flavonoids have been shown to give protection against chronic diseases. CZE is rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, as we have previously shown [7]. In this study, we used various methods to analyze the effect of CZE on multivariable indicators of toxicity, assuming mechanisms of cell degradation and covering a broad range of structural and functional changes, including cell viability, ROS production, and cellular organization and beating activity.…”

“…The leaves of C. zeylanicum were collected in the west region of Cameroon identified at the National Herbarium of Cameroon in Yaoundé under the registration number 65654/HNC. The extract was prepared as described previously [7]. In summary, the fresh leaves of C. zeylanicum were collected, washed, and cut into pieces and crushed.…”

“…Crinum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) is a bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family and is widely used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, rheumatic pain, ear ache, skin trouble, injuries, malaria, and epilepsy [7]. Several compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, fatty acids, and terpenes have been isolated from different parts of C. zeylanicum.…”