Leersia hexandra (L. hexandra) is used in
traditional medicine to treat many diseases including
hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the curative effects of the aqueous extract of L. hexandra on
hypertension.
Hypertension was induced in rats by
oral administration of
ethanol (5 g/kg/day) for five weeks. The animals were divided into 2 groups: one group of 5 rats receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg) and another group of 20 rats receiving
ethanol. At the end of the 5 weeks of administration of
ethanol, the animals were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each: one group of hypertensive rats receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg), another one receiving
nifedipine (10 mg/kg), and two groups of hypertensive rats receiving L. hexandra at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that
ethanol induced a significant increase in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate of normotensive rats. The administration of the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) or
nifedipine caused a significant decrease of MAP compared to hypertensive rats.
Ethanol induced a significant increase of
lipid profile, the atherogenic index,
creatinine, and
transaminase activities.
Ethanol also induced a significant decrease in serum
HDL-cholesterol and
antioxidant markers evaluated. Treatment of hypertensive rats with L. hexandra or
nifedipine significantly improved
lipid profile, hepatic and renal functions, and
antioxidant status. The curative effect of L. hexandra extract on
hypertension is probably related to its
antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and
antioxidant activities, which justifies its empirical use in the treatment of
hypertension.