ISSN 2326-7267
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 9 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Antihypertensive effect of an aqueous extract of CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (Rutaceae) (Christm.) Swingle, on the arterial blood pressure of mammal
1,2A. Souza*, 2M. Lamidi, 1B. Ibrahim, 2R. R. R. Aworet Samseny, M. 2Boukandou Mounanga, 1B. M’Batchi.
1Unité de Recherche d’Agrobiologie, Université de Sciences et Techniques de Masuku. BP. 913 Franceville Gabon. Tel/Fax : 631334
2Institut de Pharmacopée et de Médecine Traditionnelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique. BP: 1156 Libreville Gabon.
Accepted 07 September, 2020
Abstract
CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA is used in African folk medicine for the management of hypertension. In order to provide a scientific basis for this use, we studied the effects of an aqueous extract of CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (Ecita) on arterial blood pressure and on isolated heart and aorta activities. Rabbits were used for the study on the arterial blood pressure using a Ludwig manometer. Albino Wistar rats were used for the studies regarding the isolated heart and aorta activities using isolated organ bath systems. Ecita (4mg/kg-16mg/kg b.w) produced a dose-dependent and significant decrease in rabbit blood pressure (p<0.05). This hypotension was not prevented by atropine (2 mg/kg b.w, p>0.05). Ecita (4mg/kg-16mg/kg b.w) dose-dependently reduced hypertension evoked by adrenalin (30 µg/kg b.w.). Ecita (10-8mg/ml-10-2mg/ml) induced both negative inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart contractile activity. The plant extract (10-8mg/ml-10-2mg/ml) induced a dose-dependent relaxation of contractions produced by adrenalin (3.10-3mM) or by KCl (80mM). Ecita-evoked vasorelaxant effects were totally abolished by removal of the endothelium layer or by a pre-treatment with L-NAME (mg/ml). It was concluded that the extract possesses an antihypertensive activity which could be related to both cardiodepression and the vasorelaxation. Endothelium-dependent mechanisms might be involved.
Key words: Citrus aurantifolia, blood pressure, heart, aorta, hypertension.