Effect of Calamintha officinalis on Vascular Contractility and Angiotensinconverting Enzyme-2

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to assess the antihypertensive activity of Calamintha officinalis.

Background: Calamintha officinalis (CO) is a medicinal and aromatic herb as well as an antihypertensive plant that is widely used for its medicinal properties in several regions.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Calamintha officinalis (AECO) on vasorelaxant activity and arterial blood pressure under normal and hypertensive states in rats. Additionally, the effect of AECO on vascular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) was assessed.

Methods: In the current study, AECO (100 mg/Kg) was prepared, and its antihypertensive ability was assessed in L-N^G-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded for 6 h for the acute experiment and during seven days for the subchronic treatment.

Results: The results indicated that AECO reduced the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive rats. In addition, the study showed that AECO exerts a vasorelaxant ability through the sGC-cGMP induction pathway, vascular cyclooxygenase pathway, and the opening of K+ channels. However, AECO had no inhibitory effect on aortic ACE-2.

Conclusion: The study illustrates the beneficial action of AECO as an antihypertensive and vasorelaxant agent.

Keywords: ACE-2; Calamintha officinalis; L-NAME; antihypertensive effect; cardiovascular diseases; hypertension.