Antihypertensive activity of Petroselinum crispum through inhibition of vascular calcium channels in rats

J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Oct 5:242:112039. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112039. Epub 2019 Jun 26.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum; P. crispum) is among the popular aromatic vegetables and a part of the daily diet in the Mediterranean area. This plant is widely used in alternative medicine as a remedy against hypertension.

The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of the aqueous extract of this plant.

Material and methods: In the current study, the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of parsley (AEPC) was prepared and its antihypertensive activity was evaluated using in vivo and in vitro studies. In the in vivo investigation, anesthetized L-NAME-hypertensive and normotensive rats received orally AEPC (160 mg/kg) during 6 h for the acute experiment and during seven days for the sub-chronic treatment. Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded using a tail cuff and a computer-assisted monitoring device. Concerning the in vitro investigation, isolated thoracic aortic rings were suspended in a tissue bath and the tension changes were recorded to a data acquisition system.

Results: The results indicated that AEPC extract decreased the systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The data revealed that parsley extract exerts its hypotensive effects through vasodilatory properties via an endothelium-independent pathway. More interestingly, the study demonstrated here that the vasorelaxing ability of AEPC is exerted through both Voltage Operated and Receptor Operated Calcium Channels (VOCC and ROCC).

Conclusion: The study illustrates the beneficial action of P. crispum as an antihypertensive agent.

Keywords: Calcium; Hypertension; L-NAME; Vasorelaxant.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antihypertensive Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers* / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channel Blockers* / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Channels / physiology*
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
  • Petroselinum*
  • Plant Components, Aerial
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts* / therapeutic use
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Vasodilator Agents* / pharmacology
  • Vasodilator Agents* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Plant Extracts
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester