Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to experimentally investigate the antihypertensive effect of Ruta Montana.

Background: Ruta montana L. is traditionally used in Moroccan herbal medicine to treat hypertension. This study aimed to experimentally evaluate the hypotensive and vasoactive properties of this plant.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Ruta Montana on blood pressure parameters in LNAME-induced hypertensive rats and to determine the vasorelaxant activity of this aqueous extract.

Methods: The antihypertensive effect of the aqueous extract obtained from Ruta montana aerial parts (RMAPAE) (200 mg/kg) was evaluated in normal and anesthetized hypertensive rats. Blood pressure parameters (systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) and heart rate were measured using a tail-cuff and a computer-assisted monitoring device. The acute and chronic effect of RMAPAE was recorded for 6 hours for the acute experiment and for 7 days for the sub-chronic test. In the other set, the vasorelaxant effect of RMAPAE on the contractile response was observed in the isolated thoracic aorta.

Results: The results indicated that the RMAPAE extract significantly decreased SBP, MBP, DBP and heart rate in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Furthermore, RMAPAE was demonstrated to induce a dose-dependent relaxation in the aorta precontracted with Epinephrine or KCl. More interestingly, this vasorelaxant activity of RMAPAE seems to be probably mediated through the prostaglandins pathway.

Conclusion: The present study illustrates the beneficial action of Ruta montana on hypertension and supports its use as an antihypertensive agent.

Keywords: Ruta montana, hypertension, vasorelaxant, prostaglandins, LNAME-hypertensive rats, isolated aortic ring.