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Oleanolic Acid Prevents Glucocorticoid‐induced Hypertension in Rats
Author(s) -
Bachhav Sagar S.,
Patil Savita D.,
Bhutada Mukesh S.,
Surana Sanjay J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.3431
Subject(s) - oleanolic acid , dexamethasone , nitric oxide , endocrinology , medicine , lipid peroxidation , nitrite , glucocorticoid , saline , chemistry , loranthaceae , blood pressure , pharmacology , oxidative stress , nitrate , biology , botany , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology
The present study was designed to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of oleanolic acid isolated from Viscum articulatum , Burm. (Loranthaceae) in glucocorticoid (dexamethasone)‐induced hypertension in rats and to propose a probable mechanism of action for this effect. Male Wistar rats (300–350 g) received dexamethasone (20 μg/kg/day s.c.) or saline (vehicle) for 10 days. In a prevention study, the rats received oleanolic acid (60 mg/kg i.p.) for 5 days, followed by dexamethasone or saline for 10 days. During this period the systolic blood pressure and body weight were evaluated on alternate days. At the end of the experiment, the weight of the thymus gland, plasma nitrate/nitrite (nitric oxide metabolites) concentration and cardiac lipid peroxidation value were determined. Oleanolic acid (60 mg/kg i.p.) significantly prevented a rise in the systolic blood pressure and cardiac lipid peroxidation level after administration of dexamethasone ( p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) without showing any significant effect on the dexamethasone‐induced change in body and thymus weights. The decrease in concentration of plasma nitrate/nitrite due to dexamethasone was prevented significantly in the group treated with oleanolic acid ( p < 0.05). These findings suggest that oleanolic acid (60 mg/kg i.p.) prevents dexamethasone‐induced hypertension in rats, which may be attributed to its antioxidant and nitric oxide releasing action. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.