Antihypertensive effect of Lepechinia caulescens extract on spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aim of the present study was to examine the antihypertensive effect of methanolic extract from Lepechinia caulescens (MELc) and to determine the thoracic aorta reactivity after long-term treatment with MELc. Results showed that MELc at 38 and 120 mg/Kg induced a significant decrease of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in comparison with control and similar than captopril (30 mg/Kg). Also, MELc (120 mg/Kg) induced a long-term antihypertensive activity when still down SBP and DBP from fifth day until the end of experiment. Vascular reactivity of vessels from extract-treated animals was improved when were stimulated with carbachol and sodium nitroprusside. However, treatment with noradrenaline enhanced contractile response on these preparations. In conclusion, MELc produced significant antihypertensive and bradycardic effects that may be related with an activation of NO/cGMP pathway.