Insight into the cardiovascular activities of elaeagnus umbellata

Abstract

This study aimed to explore pharmacological base of the medicinal use of Elaeagnus umbellata in cardiovascular diseases. In normotensive and hypertensive rats under anaesthesia, crude extract of Elaeagnus umbellata (Eu.Cr) and selected fractions exhibited a fall in the mean arterial pressure. In isolated rat aortic rings, crude extract and selected fractions, exhibited L -NAME sensitive endothelium dependent vasodilator effect and inhibited K + (80 mM) pre-contractions. In isolated rabbit aortic rings pre-constricted with K + (80 mM) and phenylephrine (1 µM), Eu.Cr and selected fractions induced relaxation with high potency against phenylephrine (PE). Crude extract and selected fractions had inhibitory effect on Ca 2+ entry channels by shifting Ca 2+ concentration-response curves (CRCs) to the right and also suppressed phenylephrine peak formation in Ca 2+ -free medium like verapamil. When tested on basal tension, the crude extract and selected fractions were devoid of any vasoconstrictor effect. These data indicate that crude extract and selected fractions possess antihypertensive and vascular relaxing effects.