Acute and Chronic Effects of Ferula persica on Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Rats and Its Possible Mechanism of Action

 Background: Ferula persica has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of high blood pressure. In this study acute and chronic effect of aqueous F. persica extract on BP of hypertensive rats and its possible mechanism of action have been investigated. Methods: Eighty two male Wistar rats were divided into 12 experimental groups. Hypertension was induced by Goldblatt method in the anesthetized rats. Aqueous extract of F. persica (15 or 30 or 60 mg/kg, iv) or it’s vehicle were administered in treatments or control groups to evaluate their effects on BP and heart rate. To assess the mechanism of F. persica action on BP, L-NAME (5 mg/kg), Atropine (1 mg/kg) or Indomethacin (5 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally followed by intravenous administration of F. persica (30 mg/kg) in the different groups of hypertensive rats. Chronic effect of F. persica (30 mg/kg) on BP was evaluated by the aqueous extract administration in drinking water for a month.   Results: Intravenous administration of F. persica reduced BP of hypertensive rats (p<0.001). There is no significant different between three doses of F. persica. Intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME, Atropine or Indomethacin has no significant effect on basal BP, but L-NAME eliminated and Atropine reduced hypotensive effect of F. persica extract on BP. Chronic administration of F. persica has no effect on BP.  Conclusion: Our findings showed the hypotensive effect of F. persica in hypertensive rats may be mediated by muscarinic receptors and NO release.