<i>Ricinodendron</i> <i>heudelotii</i> Stem Bark Extract Protects against L-NAME-Induced Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress Damages in Rat

Aim of Study: Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) (RH) commonly called “Djansang” in Cameroon, has already been reported to possess cardioprotective effect, vasorelaxant and antioxidant properties. This study was undertaken to explore the effect of RH on the development of essential hypertension through nitric oxide (NO) inhibition. Material and Methods: NO deficiency was induced in Wistar rats by oral administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks, concomitantly with aqueous extract of RH stem bark (6, 20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) or captopril (20 mg/kg, p.o.). Body weight, heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were registered twice weekly throughout the experimental period, using the tail-cuff noninvasive method (CODA system, 4.1). At the end of the treatment, biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers were assessed in the blood, liver, kidney, heart and aorta homogenates according to standard protocols. The histopathological analyses were also performed on the organs mentioned above. Results: Ricinodendron heudelotii significantly decreases the systolic blood pressure (SBP), the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the mean blood pressure (MBP) without modification of heart rate (HR) after 4 weeks of concurrent L-NAME administration. Also, RH improved liver (transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins) and kidney markers (urea and creatinine), lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides), oxidative status (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, nitrites and malondialdehyde), and reduced aortic media thickness. Conclusion: These results suggest that RH, due to its antihypertensive, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties, is a promising preventive agent against hypertension and vascular disorder induced by NO deficiency.