Effect of Lagenaria siceraria (LS) powder on dexamethasone induced hypertension in rats

The objective of study was to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of Langenaria siceraria (LS) (Family-Cucurbitaceae) fruit powder in dexamethasone (Dex) induced hypertension in rats. Langenaria siceraria fruit powder was (500 mg/ kg) was suspended in gum accacia (1%) solution and rout of administration was oral. The animals were randomly divided into four groups comprising of six rats per group. Group I: control received gum acacia (1%) suspension as a vehicle for 51 days, Groups II: received dexamethasone in normal saline (10μg/rat/day, s. c. from day 45th to 51st day),Groups III: received LS fruit powder (500 mg/kg, p.o.) suspended in gum acacia (1%) for 51 days and dexamethasone (10μg/rat/day, s.c. from day 45th to 51st day), Groups IV: received LS fruit powder (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 51 days. At end of treatment haemodynamic parameters were recorded by using eight channel recorder Power lab. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in nonsignificant increase in mean arterial blood pressure compared to control. Langenaria siceraria pretreatment partially reversed dexamethasone induced hypertension whereas Langenaria siceraria reduced mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. It has been concluded that LS fruit powder (500 mg /kg) pretreatment for 51 days partially reverse dexamethasone induced hypertension in rats. Keyworld - Dexamethasone, hypertension, Lagenaria siceraria