PROPHYLACTIC ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFECT OF EXTRACT OF SIMAROUBA GLAUCA ON SALT-LOAD INDUCED HYPERTENSION IN NORMOTENSIVE MALE WISTAR RAT

Simarouba glauca has been reported to demonstrate a wide range of medicinal properties; including folklore management of hypertension disorder. The current study focused on the application of aqueous leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (AESG) as a potential prophylactic anti-hypertensive agent in male Wistar rats, following salt-load induced hypertension. A total of 15 experimental adult male Wistar rats weighing between 184 and 244 g were used for the study. The rats were allotted into five (5) groups of 25, 50, and 100 mgkg-1 body weight AESG; group that received 8 % NaCl for one week to induce hypertension; replaced with 0.9 % NaCl daily in drinking water for 4 weeks; the normotensive group, received food and water only ad libitum. Body weights and relevant hemodynamics were obtained weekly for four weeks, using the non-invasive (tail-cuff) MRBP system according to the method described by Bunag and Butterfield. Biochemical evaluation and histopathology investigation were conducted on blood plasma and relevant tissues respectively after 4 weeks according to previously established and reported methods; data were analyzed with GraphPad Prism, version 9 and presented as mean ± Standard Deviation. The results indicated that salt-load elicited significant weight loss; elevated hemodynamics; particularly, systolic and diastolic blood pressures; altered relevant biochemical indicators of hepatic and renal functions. Inversely, groups pre-treated with respective dose of AESG exponentially gained weight, significantly prevented alterations of hemodynamics and mitigated relevant biochemical indicators and pathological changes in relevant organs. Pre-treatment with AESG; particularly at 50 mgkg-1, remarkably demonstrated significant anti-hypertensive potential.