Recent Advances in the Knowledge of Naturally-derived Bioactive Compounds as Modulating Agents of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System: Therapeutic Benefits in Cardiovascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: One of the biggest challenges to public health worldwide is to reduce the number of events and deaths related to the cardiovascular diseases. Numerous approaches have been applied to reach this goal, and drug treatment intervention has been indispensable along with an effective strategy for reducing both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade is currently one of the most important targets of cardiovascular drug therapy. Many studies have proven the valuable properties of naturally-derived bioactive compounds to treat cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: The goal of this review, therefore, is to discuss the recent developments related to medicinal properties about natural compounds as modulating agents of the RAAS, which have made them an attractive alternative to be available to supplement the current therapy options. RESULTS: Data has shown that bioactive compounds isolated from several natural products act either by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme or directly by modulating the AT1 receptors of angiotensin II, which consequently changes the entire classical axis of this system. CONCLUSION: While there are a few evidence about the positive actions of different classes of secondary metabolites for the treatment of cardiovascular and renal diseases, data is scarce about the clinical assays established to demonstrate their value in humans.

Chemical composition and diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic effects of extracts of Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze leaves and its majority constituent methyl gallate in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Some species of the genus Mimosa showed promising results in previous investigations, which include diuretic effect; however, no chemical analyses or animal model has been conducted so far to evaluate the biological properties of M. bimucronata. METHODS: Male Wistar rats received the oral treatment with vehicle; hydrochlorothiazide; methanolic extract from M. bimucronata (MEMB), dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) fractions or methyl gallate (MG). The cumulative urine volume, electrolytes excretion, pH and osmolality were determined at the end of the experiment. KEY FINDINGS: The chemical studies demonstrated that the phenolic compounds are the majorities in the plant, with the MG being the main substance identified. We showed that MEMB and EA fraction, but not DCM, exhibited diuretic and saluretic effects. Similarly, the MG also revealed diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic properties to both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, fully prevented MG-induced diuresis and saluresis. In addition, MG did not alter the viability of A7r5 and L929 cell lines and neither stimulated nitric oxide generation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that M. bimucronata extracts and its majority compound MG present diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic properties, which was dependent on the activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.