Cardiac and Vascular Synergic Protective Effect of Olea europea L. Leaves and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Flower Extracts

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015:2015:318125. doi: 10.1155/2015/318125. Epub 2015 Jun 9.

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the cardiovascular effects of an Olea europea L. leaf extract (OEE), of a Hibiscus sabdariffa L. flower extract (HSE), and of their 13 : 2 w/w mixture in order to assess their cardiac and vascular activity. Both extracts were fully characterized in their bioactive compounds by HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The study was performed using primary vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) to investigate the antioxidant and cytoprotective effect of the extracts and their mixture and isolated guinea-pig left and right atria and aorta to evaluate the inotropic and chronotropic activities and vasorelaxant properties. In cultured HUVECs, OEE and HSE reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species formation and improved cell viability, following oxidative stress in dose-dependent manner. OEE and HSE exerted negative inotropic and vasorelaxant effects without any chronotropic property. Interestingly, the mixture exerted higher cytoprotective effects and antioxidant activities. Moreover, the mixture exerted an inotropic effect similar to each single extract, while it revealed an intrinsic negative chronotropic activity different from the single extract; its relaxant activity was higher than that of each single extract. In conclusion OEE and HSE mixture has a good potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical application, thanks to the synergistic effects of the single phytochemicals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects*
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Flowers / metabolism
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hibiscus / chemistry*
  • Hibiscus / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Olea / chemistry*
  • Olea / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Vasodilator Agents / chemistry
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vasodilator Agents