Exploring the vasolidatory benefits of Rosmarinic acid
By dominguez // 2020-06-08
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In this study, researchers from different universities in Thailand evaluated the effects of acute and chronic rosmarinic acid treatment on blood pressure and skeletal muscle glucose transport in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats. Their findings were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
  • Herbs that belong to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, such as rosemary, sage, basil and mint, contain rosmarinic acid (RA).
  • According to previous studies, RA exhibits inhibitory effects against angiotensin-converting enzyme and functions as a vasodilator.
  • Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a peptide hormone linked to hypertension and oxidative stress.
  • Hypertension, meanwhile, is strongly related to insulin resistance.
  • To determine the effects of RA treatment, the researchers used eight-week-old rats as test subjects.
  • They divided the rats into SHAM and ANG II-infused (250 ng/kg/min) groups and gave some of the mice in the second group 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg RA.
  • They then evaluated the mice's body weight, liver and heart weights, oral glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle glucose transport activity and signaling proteins.
  • The researchers reported that acute and chronic RA treatment decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in the rats.
  • Only acute RA (40 mg/kg) treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose levels and induced skeletal muscle glucose transport.
  • These effects appeared to be due to increased ERK activity in the skeletal muscles.
  • Chronic RA treatment with 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg prevented ANG II-induced hyperglycemia.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that rosmarinic acid treatment is an effective alternative strategy for improving skeletal muscle glucose transport and protecting against ANG II-induced hypertension and hyperglycemia. Read the full study at this link. Journal Reference: Prasannarong M, Saengsirisuwan V, Surapongchai J, Buniam J, Chukijrungroat N, Rattanavichit Y. ROSMARINIC ACID IMPROVES HYPERTENSION AND SKELETAL MUSCLE GLUCOSE TRANSPORT IN ANGIOTENSIN II-TREATED RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 08 July 2019;19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2579-4
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