The effects of
hesperidin,
glucosyl hesperidin (G-
hesperidin), a water-soluble derivative of
hesperidin, and
naringin on blood pressure and
cerebral thrombosis were investigated using
stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).
Hesperidin, G-
hesperidin and
naringin were mixed with diet and fed to the animals for 4 weeks. No effect was evident on
body weight, but the supplements significantly suppressed the age related increase in blood pressure. Thrombotic tendency, as assessed using a He-Ne
laser technique in the cerebral blood vessels, was significantly decreased in the treated animals compared with the control animals. Measurements of
8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) demonstrated that the supplements had strong
antioxidant activity. Furthermore, these supplements significantly increased the production of
nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in urine measured with
Griess reagent. Vasodilation induced by
acetylcholine-mediated NO production in the endothelium was assessed using thoracic aortic ring preparations and indicated that endothelial function was significantly improved by the administration of these supplements. These findings suggest that the strong
antioxidant properties of
hesperidin, G-
hesperidin and
naringin could modulate the inactivation of NO and protect endothelial function from
reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this manner, the
flavonoids could contribute beneficial effects on the mechanisms of
hypertension and
thrombosis by increasing the bioavailability of NO.