Title:Vasorelaxant and Antihypertensive Effects of Mentha pulegium L. in Rats: An In vitro and In vivo Approach
Volume: 21
Issue: 7
Author(s): Mohammed Ajebli and Mohamed Eddouks*
Affiliation:
- Department of Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, BP 509, Boutalamine, 52000, Errachidia,Morocco
Keywords:
Mentha pulegium, hypertension, vasorelaxant, L-NAME, calcium channels, medicinal plant.
Abstract:
Aims The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous aerial part extract of
Mentha pulegium L. (Pennyrile) (MPAE) on arterial pressure parameters in rats.
Background: Mentha pulegium is a medicinal plant used to treat hypertension in the Moroccon
population.
Methods: In the current study, MPAE was prepared and its antihypertensive activity was pharmacologically
investigated. L-NAME-hypertensive and normotensive rats received MPAE (180 and 300
mg/kg) orally for six hours for acute experiment and during seven days for the sub-chronic treatment.
Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated. In
the in vitro experiment, isolated denuded and intact thoracic aortic rings were suspended in a tissue
bath system and the tension changes were recorded.
Results: A fall in blood pressure was observed in L-NAME-induced hypertensive treated with
MPAE. The extract also produced a dose-dependent relaxation of aorta pre-contracted with NE and
KCl. The study showed that the vasorelaxant ability of MPAE seems to be exerted through the
blockage of extracellular Ca2+ entry.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the extract of pennyrile exhibits antihypertensive activity.
In addition, the effect may be, at least in part, due to the dilation of blood vessels via blockage
of Ca2+ channels.
