In vivo Antihypertensive and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of the Crude Extracts and Fractions of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. Leaves in Rats

Abstract

Background: Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. is a medicinal plant that has been used in Ethiopian traditional medicine as a remedy for treatment of hypertension and diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic effect in fructose induced hypertensive rats.Methods: Rats were randomly divided into control and treatment groups (n = 6). Treatment groups were given daily extracts (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) orally with fructose. Whereas, positive, negative and normal control groups were received captopril (20 mg/kg/day with fructose), only fructose (66% w/v ad libitum) and distilled water ad libitum for 15 days, respectively. The blood pressure was measured every 5th day using tail cuff blood pressure analyzer, and on the 16th day the blood was sampled to evaluate antihyperlipidemic effect using clinical chemistry analyzer.Results: The study showed that aqueous and 70% ethanol extracts significantly prevented blood pressure increment in a dose dependent manner comparable to that of the standard drug. Similarly, the extracts suppressed increment in lipid profile (cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides) compared with negative control. The biochemical test revealed that extracts produced a rise in liver but no effect on kidney function indicators compared with normal control.Conclusion: These findings revealed that both crude extracts of M. stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. possess antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic effect.

An Ethno Botanical Review on Medicinal Plants Used for the Management of Hypertension

“…Several scientific studies have also confirmed that the various parts of the plant possess anti-malarial, antileishmenial and anti-fertility [50], hypotensive [40], anti-hypertensive [7], vasodilatory [51], hypoglycemic [52], and anti-diabetic effects [47,53].…”

“…The hydroethanol extract of the plant has shown a significant urine output at all doses and significantly increased the excretion of Na + and Cl -at higher doses [54]. These pharmacological activities might be attributed to presence of different phytochemical constituents found in the plant extract, especially glycosides and alkaloids [7,51]. Safety and toxicity: Ghebreselassie et al evaluated the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa stenopetala on blood parameters, and the histopathology of liver and kidney in experimental mice [55].…”

“…CVDs account approximately for one-third of total deaths a year [4]. Several studies indicate that CVDs are responsible for almost 80% of the global burden of diseases in low and middle income countries [5][6][7] and it is predicted to be the leading cause of mortality and disability by 2020 mainly because of its rise in the future in these countries [5]. Globally, the major risk factors for CVD include tobacco use, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, lipid abnormality, obesity and physical inactivity.…”

“…It contributes to myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular insufficiency, coronary artery disease, stroke and premature mortality [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Hypertension has been identified as the leading risk factor for mortality and ranked third as a cause of disability-adjusted life years [12].…”

“…According to epidemiological projections in 2025, 29.2% of adults worldwide will suffer from hypertension whose three-quarters will live in developing countries. The total number of adults with hypertension in many African countries has been estimated to be over 40% in recent years [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Population growth, ageing and behavioural risk factors, such as unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, lack of physical activity, excess weight and exposure to persistent stress are contributing factors for the increasing prevalence of hypertension [6,20].…”