Complementary Use of Methanolic Extract of Celery ( Apium graveolens L.) Leaf and Low Dose of Amlodipine in Animal Model of Dexamethasone-induced Hypertension

Background Celery ( Apium graveolens L.) has traditionally been used alongside conventional anti-hypertensive drugs for the daily management of high blood pressure. However, evidence regarding its concurrent use with low-dose anti-hypertensive therapy remains limited.. Purpose This study evaluated the effects of methanolic celery leaf extract combined with low-dose amlodipine (AMD) on blood pressure, heart rate, lipid profile, and liver enzymes in dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats. Materials and Methods Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into normotensive ( n = 6) and dexamethasone-induced hypertension (D-IH; n = 30) groups. Hypertension was induced using dexamethasone (0.3 mg/kg) for 6 weeks and confirmed by blood pressure exceeding 200 mmHg. The hypertensive rats were subsequently divided into five groups ( n = 6/group): untreated, AMD (5 mg/kg), methanolic celery extract (MCE; 200 mg/kg), low-dose AMD (2.5 mg/kg) + MCE, and vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate were measured. Lipid profiles and liver enzyme levels were determined using automated biochemical analysis. Results SBP and DBP were significantly increased in D-IH rats compared with the normotensive control group ( p < .01). Treatment with low-dose AMD + MCE produced a greater reduction in SBP and DBP than either AMD or MCE alone. Although AMD increased heart rate, low-dose AMD + MCE significantly reduced heart rate compared with the other treatment groups. D-IH rats exhibited significant increases in lipid profile parameters, except high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Treatment with low-dose AMD + MCE significantly improved the lipid profile ( p < .05) and reduced elevated liver enzyme levels in D-IH rats. Conclusion The combination of low-dose AMD and methanolic celery leaf extract produced greater anti-hypertensive effects than either standard-dose AMD or celery extract alone. The combination also improved heart rate, lipid profile, and elevated liver enzymes, suggesting potential cardioprotective and hepatoprotective benefits and providing experimental support for the concurrent traditional use of celery extract with anti-hypertensive therapy.