Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ribes khorasanicum (R. khorasanicum); a plant growing in north Khorasan of Iran; on cardiovascular and stress oxidative in acute hypertension induced by N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), anitric oxide synthase inhibitor. METHODS: Rats were divided into Control, L-NAME (10 mg/kg), Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) (50 mg/kg) + L-NAME and three treated groups with R. khorasanicum (4, 12 and 24 mg/kg) groups + L-NAME. L-NAME and SNP were injected intravenously and extract intraperitoneal. In R. khorasanicum groups, L-NAME was injected 30 min after injection of the extract. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously using power lab software. At the end of study oxidative stress parameters including of total thiol content (SH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in heart and aorta of all groups were also measured. RESULTS: In groups 4 and 24 mg/kg extract +L-NAME, there was a non-significant decrease in SBP and MAP compared to L-NAME group but dose 12 mg/kg significantly attenuate the effect of L-NAME(P < 0.05). In L-NAME group the heart and aorta tissues antioxidant enzymes levels decreased, while in treated rats these enzymes significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The extract of R. khorasanicum in dose 12 mg/kg show anti-hypertensive effect that is mediated by an effect on NO system or antioxidant parameters.