Bark extract of Terminalia arjuna prevents high sodium chloride induced hypertension in male albino mice

摘要

Introduction: The use of extra salt in the diet leads to chronic hypertension. To find out the efficacy, the bark extract of Terminalia arjuna is used on experimental mice as it is used since ancient times for cardioprotection.Materials and Methods: The present study was aimed to find out the effect of Terminalia arjuna extract on NaCl induced hypertensive mice. Experiments were conducted on mice using various concentrations of sodium chloride e.g., 0.08 and 4% for seven consecutive days followed by extract of Terminalia arjuna only in 4% NaCl treated mice.Results: Some remarkable changes were noticed in the histology and ultrastructure of mitochondria and lipid droplets within the zona glomerulosa region of the adrenal cortex. Broad and continuous cristae with wrinkled boundary wall indicated the non-functional nature of mitochondria. Area and number of Bowman's capsule, width of proximal and distal convoluted tubules were decreased due to four percent NaCl treatment. The blood glucose levels were increased. Irnniunohistochemical localization of SCC enzymes. SCC protein through western blot analysis and supported by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were reduced significantly due to decrease in aldosterone secretion. At the same time intake of low NaCl separate use of high NaCl and of Terminalia arjuna extract lead to hyperactivity of the zona glomerulosa cells region resulting an increase in number of the Bowman's capsule and width of the tubules .Blood glucose level was in the normal range.Conclusions: Thus the bark extract of Terminalia arjuna acts as an authentic car-dioprotective agent, thereby validating its potential therapeutic use in the management of cardiovascular diseases.