Natural extract from Lindera Erythrocarpa shows promise in managing hypertension

Herbs And Phytochemicals: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which account for nearly 50% of non-communicable disease-related deaths worldwide. The condition is especially prevalent in older adults, with 60-75% of individuals aged 60 and above affected by it. Although lifestyle changes and medications are available to manage hypertension, there is a growing need for natural remedies with fewer side effects. This Herbs And Phytochemicals news report delves into the findings of a recent study that investigates the antihypertensive effects of Lindera erythrocarpa leaf extract (LEL), highlighting its potential to treat hypertension naturally.


Natural extract from Lindera Erythrocarpa shows promise in managing hypertension

The research, conducted by scientists from Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea, examined how LEL affects blood vessels and its role in lowering blood pressure. The study utilized rat models to explore LEL’s mechanism of action and its impact on the cardiovascular system.
 
Understanding the Effects of Lindera Erythrocarpa
Lindera erythrocarpa is a plant traditionally used for its medicinal properties, particularly in managing pain, digestive issues, and inflammation. However, its antihypertensive properties had not been thoroughly studied until recently. The research team prepared an ethanol extract of the plant’s leaves and conducted experiments on rats to test its effect on the vascular system.
 
The study’s first set of experiments examined how the extract affects the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels in the rats. Using the aorta, the largest artery in the body, researchers observed that LEL promoted significant vasorelaxation, meaning it relaxed the blood vessels, which could help lower blood pressure. The extract worked by stimulating the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway, a well-known mechanism for inducing vasodilation, or widening of the blood vessels.
 
Role of NO and cGMP in Blood Vessel Relaxation
The research revealed that LEL induces vasorelaxation by promoting the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the blood vessels. NO plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular health by signaling the smooth muscle in the blood vessel walls to relax. Once NO is produced, it activates guanylate cyclase, an enzyme that increases levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP, in turn, causes the smooth muscles to relax, widening the blood vessels and reducing blood pressure.
 
In this study, the aortic rings from rats were treated with various inhibitors to block specific pathways and determine how LEL affects blood vessels. The results showed that blocking the NO pathway significantly reduced the relaxation effect of LEL. This indicates that LEL relies on the NO/cGMP pathway to exert its vasorelaxant effects.
 
Inhibiting Calcium Channels and Angiotensin II
Another critical mechanism explored in the study was the effect of LEL on calcium channels. Calcium ions play a central role in muscle contraction, including the contraction of blood vessel walls. When calcium enters the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels, it triggers contraction, leading to increased blood pressure. The researchers found that LEL blocks the influx of calcium into the muscle cells, preventing them from contracting and promoting relaxation.
 
In addition to blocking calcium channels, LEL also inhibited the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict and raises blood pressure. When angiotensin II is present in the bloodstream, it signals the blood vessels to tighten, increasing the pressure within them. The study showed that LEL significantly reduced the contraction of blood vessels induced by angiotensin II, suggesting that it may also work by inhibiting this powerful vasoconstrictor.
 
Blood Pressure Reduction in Hypertensive Rats
The study did not stop at the cellular level. The researchers also investigated whether these vasorelaxant effects translate into real-world results by administering LEL to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), a commonly used model for studying high blood pressure in humans. The SHRs were given different doses of LEL, and their blood pressure was monitored over time using the tail-cuff method.
 
The results were promising. Rats that received 1000 mg/kg of LEL showed a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. After four hours of administration, systolic blood pressure dropped by 20%, and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 30%. These reductions were substantial, suggesting that LEL could be effective in lowering blood pressure in cases of hypertension. The study also found that higher doses of LEL led to more pronounced effects, without causing any adverse reactions in the rats.
 
The Potential for LEL in Hypertension Treatment
Given these findings, LEL has shown significant potential as a natural treatment for hypertension. Its ability to promote vasorelaxation through the NO/cGMP pathway, block calcium channels, and inhibit angiotensin II suggests that it could help manage high blood pressure in humans. Furthermore, the study highlights the advantages of using plant-based therapies, which are often associated with fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs.
 
The results of this study provide valuable insights into how natural compounds like LEL can be used to treat hypertension. By targeting multiple pathways involved in blood pressure regulation, LEL offers a promising alternative to conventional medications. However, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and potential applications in humans.
 
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that Lindera erythrocarpa leaf extract (LEL) has significant antihypertensive properties, making it a potential candidate for treating high blood pressure. The extract promotes vasorelaxation by activating the NO/cGMP pathway, blocking calcium channels, and inhibiting the effects of angiotensin II. The results of this study showed a marked reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive rats, with no adverse side effects observed during the trials.
 
Further research is necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of LEL in human subjects, as well as to identify the active compounds responsible for its antihypertensive effects. If proven effective, LEL could become a valuable addition to the range of natural remedies available for managing hypertension, particularly in individuals seeking alternatives to synthetic medications.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/17/3003

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