Scurrula atropurpurea increases nitric oxide and decreases malondialdehyde in hypertensive rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease and has an impact on onebillion people. Production of superoxide radicals and endothelial dysfunctionare involved in hypertension. Scurrula atropurpurea (BL.) Dans. is a tea plantparasite. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Scurrula atropurpurea (BL.)Dans. on nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of endothelial dysfunction andmalondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress in hypertensive rats. METHODSThis study subjected rats to deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-inducedhypertension. The experimental groups consisting of the control group and 3hypertension groups receiving Scurulla atropurpurea extract at a dosage of50; 100; and 200 mg/KgBW. Scavenging activity of Scurrula atropurpurea(BL.) extract was analyzed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method.The levels of arterial nitric oxide (NO) and pulmonary malondialdehyde (MDA)were analyzed by spectrophotometry. ANOVA and a post hoc test were appliedto find the difference of arterial NO and pulmonary MDA levels between groups. RESULTSThe level of arterial NO was significantly decreased in the hypertension groupsas compared with the control group, while the level of pulmonary MDA wassignificantly increased (p<0.05). Scurulla atropurpurea significantly increasesthe NO level at a dosage of 200 mg/KgBW, compared with the hypertensiongroups (p<0.001). Scurulla atropurpurea significantly decreases pulmonaryMDA level at a dosage of 100 and 200 mg/KgBW compared with the hypertensiongroups (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONScurulla atropurpurea extractincreases arterial NO and decreases pulmonaryMDA in hypertensive rats, thus playing an important role in endothelialdysfunction and oxidative stress.