Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to study the antihypertensive activity of Laurus nobilis.

Background: Laurus nobilis L. is used to treat hypertension in Morocco.

Objective: The study was designed to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract leaves of Laurus nobilis (AELN) on blood pressure.

Materials and Methods: The antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities of AELN were pharmacologically investigated in normotensive and L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Thereafter, blood pressure was evaluated, and the ex-vivo vasorelaxant activity of this extract was performed.

Results: A considerable decrease in blood pressure parameters were observed in L-NAMEinduced hypertensive rats treated with AELN. The extract induced a vasorelaxant effect on the aorta precontracted with epinephrine or KCl by inhibiting extracellular Ca2+ entry.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Laurus nobilis aqueous extract exhibits potent antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities via inhibiting Ca2+ entry.

Keywords: Laurus nobilis, medicinal plant, hypertension, blood pressure, vasorelaxant activity, ACE-2.