EVALUATION OF THE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITY OF R-(+)-PULEGONE IN L-NAME INDUCED HYPERTENSIVE WISTAR RATS

Objectives: The present study was aimed to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of PLG in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Methods: Wistar rats of 200-240g were given L-NAME (40 mg/kg body weight/day/p.o.) in drinking water daily for 4 weeks to induce hypertension. Rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, L-NAME control, Verapamil (20 mg/kg, p.o.), and PLG (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, p.o.). PLG and standard drug Verapamil (20 mg/kg) was also administered daily for 4 weeks. At the end of the 4th week, hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Result: PLG (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly (p <0.01 and p <0.001) and dose-dependently decreased the elevated (SBP), (DBP) and (MABP). PLG also prevented the increase in heart weight and body weight. Undesirable changes such as increased (MDA) levels and decreased concentration of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD) and (GSH) in the heart tissue were rectified after the administration of PLG (10 and 20 mg/kg). Oral administration of PLG (10 and 20 mg/kg) also restored altered levels of hepatic and renal markers, lipid profile values, and histological abnormalities. Verapamil (20mg/kg) showed a maximum antihypertensive effect. Meanwhile, we found that NO concentration in plasma and aorta was significantly increased in the PLG (20 mg/kg) treated group. Conclusion: It is suggested that PLG possessed an antihypertensive effect in L-NAME-induced hypertensive Wistar rats. The results thus proposed that the blood pressure-lowering effect of PLG may be due to its antioxidant nature and prevention to decrease the bioavailability of NO.