ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of aqueous extract from roots of Arctium lappa (AERAL) on vascular remolding in hypertensive rats. Methods: The hypertensive rat model was induced by N-nitro-L-arginine from 50 female Wistar rats, and randomly divided into model control group, positive control group (15 mg/kg), low-, mid-, and high-dose AERAL (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg), groups. After six weeks of continuous gavage administration, rat tail artery systolic pressure, angiotensin II (Ang-II), endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), left ventricular mass index (LVWI), and thickness of thoracic aortic tunica media (TTATM) were detected. Results: Compared with the normal control group, Ang-II, ET-1, TNF-α, LVWI, and TTATM were increased and rat tail artery systolic pressure was elevated in the model control group, with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05); Compared with the model control group, rat tail artery systolic pressure in each treatment groups declined, serum Ang-II, ET-1, TNF-α, LVWI, and TTATM were all lowered, showing significant differences among them (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AERAL can significantly improve vascular remolding in rats with hypertension.