Effects of African mistletoe extract on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Journal/Book: Int. J. Pharmacognosy 34 (2), 124-127. 1996;

Abstract: African Mistletoe, Loranthus bengwensis L. (Loranthaceae) is known infolk medicine for its therapeutic values. To explore the possibleantihypertensive effect of this plant, normotensive (NWR) andspontaneous hypertensive (SHR) rats were orally dosed with the aqueousextract (1.32 g/kg per day) or an equal volume of saline for 8 days. Asignificant reducton in the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) in both NWR (p<0.01) and SHR(P<0.001) was obtained. This does not affect the respiratory rate or theurinary flow rate but a significant reduction of the serum totalcholesterol (P<0.05) was obtained on days 6, 7, and 8. This resultconfirms that African Mistletoe has a reducing effect on the bloodpressure and thus could be a useful antihypertensive agent. This studyprovides the first indication that the plant may have activity whichlowers blood pressure suggesting the need for further investigation ofAfrican Mistletoe as an antihypertensive agent.

Keyword(s): Medical:essential-hypertension /diagnosis

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