Hypotensive activity of auraptene, a monoterpene coumarin from Citrus spp.*. (May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Imenshahidi, Mohsen; Eghbal, Mohammad; Sahebkar, Amirhossein; Iranshahi, Mehrdad
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 51:Number 5(2013:May)
• Page Start: 545
• Page End: 549
• Publication Date: 2013-05
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2012.747546
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context: Citrus</italic> spp. (Rutaceae) are well-documented for their cardioprotective properties. Auraptene is a bioactive monoterpene coumarin ether abundantly present in the <italic>Citrus</italic> spp.</p> <p> <italic>Objective:</italic> To investigate the hypotensive activity of auraptene.</p> <p> <italic>Methods:</italic> Different groups of normotensive rats (<italic>n</italic> = 5 in each group) were subjected to single intravenous injections of auraptene (125, 250 and 500 µg/kg), nifedipine (as positive control; 63, 125 and 250 µg/kg) or negative control [DMSO/normal saline (1:3)]. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated following each treatment.</p> <p> <italic>Results:</italic> A dose-dependent hypotensive effect was observed following auraptene injection, which was significant at 250 and 500 µg/kg (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001) but not 125 µg/kg (<italic>p</italic> > 0.05). With respect to the positive control, nifedipine reduced MABP at all tested doses, dose-dependently and significantly (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). The MABP lowering effect of auraptene was found to be significantly lower than that of nifedipine (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion:</italic> In light of the present findings, auraptene has moderate hypotensive activity. Further investigations are recommended to explore the effects of higher doses as well as oral administration of this phytochemical.</p> </abstract>