Effect of Solanum torvum on blood pressure and metabolic alterations in fructose hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND

Solanum torvum (Solanaceae) is a plant used in Cameroon ethnomedicine for the treatment of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum (100 and 300 mg/kg; p.o. for 6 weeks) on systolic blood pressure (SBP), vascular reactivity, serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin and uric acid in fructose-induced hypertension.

METHODS

The effect of ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum (100 and 300 mg/kg; p.o. for 6 weeks) on fructose (10%) induced rise in blood pressure was tested by invasive and non-invasive measurements and the biochemical parameters were studied by using standard kits.

RESULTS

Ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum reduced systolic blood pressure, vascular reactivity changes to catecholamines and reversed the metabolic alterations induced by fructose. The cumulative concentration response curve (CCRC) of Angiotensin II (Ang II) using isolated strip of ascending colon was shifted towards right in rats treated with ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum could prevent the development of high blood pressure induced by a diet rich in fructose probably by reversing the metabolic alterations induced by fructose.