Antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects of Rumex vesicarius (L.) through receptor-operated calcium channels in hypertensive rats.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the antihypertensive activity of Rumex vesicarius.

Background: The genus Rumex (sorrel, Polygonaceae), containing approximately 200 species, is distributed worldwide (African, European, Asian, and American countries). It is widely used in traditional medicine as analgesic, diuretic, antispasmodic, and antihypertensive plants.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the possible antihypertensive vasorelaxant capacity and effect on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) of the aqueous extract of Rumex vesicarius (R. vesicarius).

Material and methods: In the present study, the aqueous extract of R. vesicarius (AERV) was prepared, its antihypertensive activity was examined in N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats, and its vasorelaxant ability along with its effect on stimulating or inhibiting ACE-2 were performed in isolated rat thoracic aorta.

Results: The results indicated that AERV decreased the systolic, diastolic, mean, and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The data revealed that AERV exerted its antihypertensive effect through vasodilatory properties via an endothelium-independent pathway. Interestingly, the study demonstrated that the vasorelaxation ability of AERV might be mediated through receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCC). However, AERV extract had no effect on either stimulating or inhibiting ACE-2.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates clearly the antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities of R. vesicarius in hypertensive rats, supporting its beneficial action as an antihypertensive agent.