Beneficial Effects of Black Cardamom (Amomum subulatum) on Hemodynamic Parameters in Normotensive and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Amomum subulatum (AS) is used to improve cardiac health in traditional medicine practice. The present study evaluates the pharmacological effect of AS aqueous extract on blood pressure in Normotensive (NR) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Materials and Methods: Blood pressure, Heart Rate (HR) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), was recorded in catheterized Sprague-Dawley rats before and after AS intravenous administration by using Mikro-Tip Pressure-Volume System (MPVS), PowerLab. The receptor activity was assessed by using the drugs Acetylcholine (ACh) and Atropine (Atr). Results: Preliminary phytochemistry of AS suggests that it contains tannins, flavonoids and saponins. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) was found to decrease significantly in NR and SHR as compared with the control. The lowest dose (1 mg kgG 1 ) produced the least (16%) while 30 mg kgG 1 caused the maximum reduction (40%) in MAP. Electrocardiograph analysis revealed a significant increase in RR interval (decreased heart rate), time-domain Standard Deviation of Interbeat Interval (SDNN) and the Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) and High-frequency Domain (HF%) parameters and a decrease in the Low-Frequency (LF) range, suggesting the activation and involvement of the parasympathetic limb. It was also observed that the cardiovascular effects of AS were comparable to Acetylcholine (ACh) and both were completely blocked by Atropine (1 µg kgG 1 ). Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that AS has a hypotensive effect, with an impact on the HRV of NR and SHR. Amomum subulatum might cause an augmented effect on the cholinergic limb of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and decrease the blood pressure and heart rate significantly.