Crataegus tanacetifolia leaf extract prevents L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats: a morphological study

• Published in: Phytotherapy research 2006, Vol.20 (1), p.66-70
• Main Authors: Celebi Kocyoldoz, Z, Birman, H, Olgac, V, Akgun-Dar, K, Melikoglu, G, Mericli, A.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; arterial blood pressure; arterial wall; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure - drug effects; cardiovascular; Coronary Vessels - cytology; Coronary Vessels - drug effects; Crataegus; Crataegus - chemistry; Enzyme Inhibitors - toxicity; General pharmacology; Hypertension - chemically induced; Hypertension - prevention & control; Kidney - enzymology; L-NAME; lipid levels; Lipids - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Myocardium - cytology; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - cytology; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester - toxicity; Nitric Oxide Synthase - analysis; Nitric Oxide Synthase - antagonists & inhibitors; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Quercetin - analogs & derivatives; Quercetin - isolation & purification; Quercetin - pharmacology; Rats
• ISSN: 0951-418X; 1099-1573
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1808

Crataegus (hawthorn) has long been used as a folk medicine all around the world. Most of the studies with Crataegus species focus on effects on heart failure and cardiovascular disease. The pharmacological effects of Crataegus have been attributed mainly to the content of flavonoids, procyanidin, aromatic acid and cardiotonic amines. The present study investigated the blood pressure and the structure of the coronary arterial wall of L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats given an aqueous leaf extract of C. tanacetifolia (100 mg/kg), for 4 weeks via gavage. It was observed that C. tanacetifolia, especially the hyperoside fraction, prevented L‐NAME‐induced hypertension in rats and had beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.