Abstract

RAMIREZ, Jorge; PALACIOS, Mauricio  and  GUTIERREZ, Oscar. Evaluation of the antihypertensive effect of Salvia scutellarioides in a rat model of hypertension. Colomb. Med. [online]. 2006, vol.37, n.1, pp.53-60. ISSN 1657-9534.

Introduction: An infusion of stems and leaves of the plant Salvia scutellarioides (common name: Mastranto) is used in the Colombian traditional medicine due to its antihypertensive and diuretic effects. Up to date, no experimental studies have been done to validate the reported effects. Objective: To determine the effect of S. scutellarioides in blood pressure using a model of hypertensive rats. Methods: A total of thirty male rats were randomly distributed in five homogeneous randomly distributed groups: group 1. Normal saline solution (5 ml/kg p.o.) and normal saline solution (1 ml/kg i.p.); group 2. S. scutellarioides (1 g/kg p.o.) and L-NAME (40 mg/kg i.p.); group 3. S. scutellarioides (2 g/kg p.o.) and L-NAME (40 mg/kg i.p.); group 4. enalapril (25 mg/kg p.o.) and L-NAME (40 mg/kg i.p.); group 5. Normal saline solution (5 ml/kg p.o.) and L-NAME (40 mg/kg i.p.). The treatments were administered daily during four weeks. Blood pressure measurements (systolic, median and diastolic) were performed in a non invasive form using a tail pressure meter with a piezo electric sensor; furthermore, renal and cardiac histopathology were performed to all animals. Results: The administration of S. scutellarioides 2 g/kg produced a statistically significant reduction of median blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in comparison with the group that received L-NAME and normal saline solution. The MBP and DBP reduction produced by S. scutellarioides was comparable to that of the group that received enalapril 25 mg/kg. Reductions in MBP and DBP were obtained during the first week (p<0.001), second week (p<0.01), and fourth week (p<0.05) of treatment. The administration of S. scutellarioides 1 g/kg had no effect on the blood pressure. Both doses of S. scutellarioides used did not prevent damage to target organs in this model of hypertension. Conclusions: The results of this study do coincide with the apparent antihypertensive activity of S. scutellarioides reported in the traditional Colombian medicine. Further studies are required to determine the plant’s pharmacological and toxicological profiles.

Keywords : Hypertension; Salvia scutellarioides; Mastranto; Ethnopharmacology; L-NAME; S. palaefolia.

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