Protective Effect Of Chinese Sumac (Rhus Typhina L.) Fruit Extract On Angiotensin Ii-Induced Hypertension

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Chinese sumac fruit (CSF) extract on angiotensin-induced hypertension (HTN) in rats. The angiotensin II administration was performed in rats to establish the model of HTN. Rats in CSF or HTN group received CSF granule or normal saline gavage after angiotensin II treatment, respectively. Rats in control group were treated with normal saline only. The blood pressure of each rat was measured by intubation of carotid artery. The thickness of renal artery vessel was measured by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. In addition, the mRNA and protein levels of total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were detected, followed by the expression levels of nitric oxide (NO) and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) in serum were measured. In CSF group, the blood pressure, thickness of renal arteries, expression levels of collagen I and collagen IV were decreased compared with HTN group. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of SOD, CAT, tNOS, eNOS and expression levels of NO in CSF group were obviously elevated compared with HTN group (P < 0.01). MDA was remarkably decreased under the action of CSF (P < 0.01). In summary, CSF extract has properties to protect HTN. Decrease of oxidative stress and increase of NO are probably involved in the mechanism of CSF extract in treating HTN.