Role of autonomic receptors in ethyl ferulate-induced cardiovascular effects in normotensive and hypertensive female rats

Abstract Aims Ethyl ferulate (EF) may offer novel benefits in hypertension. We investigated the contribution of autonomic receptors to EF-induced effects in female Wistar and SHR. Methods Anesthetized females received EF intravenously at 7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg. Autonomic involvement was evaluated using pretreatment with atropine, atenolol, or hexamethonium. MAP and HR were continuously monitored. Results EF induced rapid and pronounced reductions in MAP and HR in both strains. In Wistar rats, muscarinic and nicotinic blockade significantly attenuated these responses. In SHR, atropine abolished bradycardia and partially mitigated hypotension, whereas β1-adrenergic and nitric oxide synthase inhibition had minimal impact. Conclusion EF acutely lowers MAP and HR, with muscarinic and nicotinic receptors driving the effects in normotensive females, and muscarinic pathways partially mediating responses in hypertensive females. These results position EF as a compelling candidate for antihypertensive therapy and underscore the critical need to study cardiovascular interventions in female hypertension models.