Antihypertensive and Cardioprotective Effects of Curcumin In Sodium Chloride–Prednisolone–Induced Hypertensive Rats

Curcumin is a bioactive polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may contribute to blood pressure reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive and histopathological effects of curcumin in hypertensive rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n = 6 per group). Hypertension was induced over 14 days by administering 2% NaCl in combination with prednisolone (13.5 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Subsequently, the animals received once-daily oral treatment for 7 days as follows: Group A, captopril, 2.25 mg/kg BW; Group B, curcumin, 100 mg/kg BW; Group C, curcumin, 200 mg/kg BW; and Group D, vehicle control, 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the treatment period, and cardiac tissues were collected for histopathological analysis. Both curcumin-treated groups exhibited significant reductions in diastolic and systolic blood pressure postintervention, with the greatest effect observed in Group C. A histological study demonstrated reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in the curcumin-treated groups compared with the control group. The antihypertensive effect of curcumin was comparable to that of captopril and was dose-dependent. Curcumin exerts significant antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects in hypertensive rats.