The Effects of Naoxintong Capsule on the Vascular Endothelial Function and Inflammatory Factors in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of Naoxintong (NXT) capsule on vascular endothelial function and inflammatory mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods: A total of 100 spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into model group, positive control group, NXT low-dose group, NXT medium-dose group and NXT high-dose group. Rats in the model group were given an equal dose of normal saline once a day; the positive control group was given telmisartan 50 mg/(kg•d) once a day; the low, middle and high dose groups were given the NTX 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/(kg•d) once a day, respectively. Rats in each group were continuously intragastrically administered for 12 weeks. The vascular endothelial function index, inflammation index and blood pressure of each group were observed at the end of 8 weeks. Results: Endothelin (ET), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and systolic blood pressure levels were lower in the positive control group and NXT group compared with model group. In the model group, the NO level was lower than the positive control group and NXT group; the levels of ET, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP and systolic blood pressure in the middle-dose group and the high-dose group were lower than those in the positive control group and NXT low-dose group. Furthermore, the level of NO was higher in positive control group and NXT middle and high dose group compared with model group. The levels of ET, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP and systolic pressure in NXT high dose group were lower than in NXT middle dose group, while the level of NO was higher in NXT high group than in NXT middle dose group and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: NXT has obviously antihypertensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats, and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of vascular endothelial function and inflammatory factors.