The blood pressure lowering effect of herbal-rich diet is a necessary dietary lifestyle measure now included the guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. Flavonoids represent a major class of plant polyphenolics, they have antioxidant effects and show a wide range of pharmacological activities. This study was to clarify the antihypertensive effect of the flavonoid extracted from the Origanum vulgare.
Forty five adult male albino rats were classified into three main groups as follows: group I: control. Group II: hypertension was induced by ligation of left renal artery. Group III: hypertension was induced and given OV as 100 mg/kg body weight daily for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected and cardiac sections were stained with H&E and immunohistochemical staining for caspase 3 and Bcl-2.
The body weight of control, hypertensive and treated hypertensive groups showed a significant weight gain. Significant increase in creatinine and cholesterol in untreated in contrast to other groups. There was significant reduction of blood pressure (BP) on using OV in contrast to other groups. The hypertension group induced myocardial abnormalities as disruption, vacuolation, inflammation and wide separation of cardiac muscle fibers. Myocyte apoptosis were significantly decreased with OV compared with other groups. Caspases 3 and Bcl2 immunostaining in OV-treated rats were significantly decreased compared with other groups.
The supplementation of OV herbetic extract (flavonoid) in hypertensive rats partially prevented such occurred changes, suggesting its possible protective effect against the risk of the progression of cardiovascular diseases during hypertension. |
