Curcumin Attenuates Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress in 2K-1C Renovascular Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: Curcumin (CUR), is an active ingredient isolated from Curcuma longa Linn. Although CUR has been described as a strong antioxidant, its effect on renovascular hypertension has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of CUR on the reduction of blood pressure and oxidative stress status in renovascular hypertensive rats.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were underwent 2-kidney-1-clip (2K-1C) or sham operation. Three days after operation, 2K-1C and sham operated rats were recovered and divided into five groups (N=6/group). Group 1 and 2 are sham operated rats receiving propylene glycol (PG), a solvent of CUR, and CUR (100 mg/kg/day) continuously for 6 weeks, respectively, Group 3-5 are 2K-1C hypertensive rats receiving PG and CUR at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day respectively, for six weeks. Blood pressure was measured weekly. Superoxide production in carotid arteries, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma protein carbonyl were assessed at the end of experimental period.

Results: Chronic treatment with CUR significantly decreased blood pressure of the 2K-1C hypertensive rats (p<0.05). The levels of superoxide production and oxidative stress markers of hypertensive animals were also reduced after CUR treatment (p<0.05).  All parameters studied were not affected after CUR treatment in normotensive animals.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that chronic treatment with CUR reduces blood pressure and oxidative stress in rats with renovascular hypertension. The plausible mechanisms might be attributable to the antioxidant property of CUR.