Actions of Caffeic Acid Loaded-Silver Nanoparticles on Blood Pressure, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants in Nitric Oxide Deficient Hypertensive Rats

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive and antioxidant potential of caffeic acid-loaded silver nanoparticles (CA-AgNPs) in Nω −Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) induced hypertension in male albino Wistar rats. Materials and methods: The rats have randomly divided into four groups, that is, Group I Control rats, Group II rats injected with CA-AgNPs, Group III L-NAME rats, and Group IV −L-NAME+ CA-AgNPs. Hypertension was induced in rats by oral administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in drinking water daily for 4 weeks. Rats were given intraperitoneal injection of CA-AgNPs (0.5 mg/kg/ml). Results: The results showed that L-NAME administration caused a sustained increase in blood pressure, levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and a significant decrease in the activities of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E in the tissues such as heart, aorta, liver, and kidney. Above pathological changes were considerably restored with the treatment of CA-AgNPs. Conclusions: The result confirms CA-AgNPs have enough potential to narrow down hypertension and oxidative stress in L-NAME hypertensive rats.