The antihypertensive effects of the Jamaican Cho-Cho (Sechium edule)
West Indian med. j
; 49(1): 27-31, Mar. 2000. ilus, gra
Article
in English
| MedCarib
| ID: med-1135
Responsible library:
JM3.1
Localization: JM3.1; R18.W4
ABSTRACT
The experiments reported in this study constitute a preliminary investigation into the possible hypotensive effect of the Jamaican Cho-Cho (Sechium edule). Experiments were conducted in a random and blind fashion on two sub species of Sechium edule. Both the pulp and the peel were examined for hypotensive activity. Water-soluble extracts were prepared from these components of the fruit and injected into anaesthetised rats. Various cardiovascular parameters were measured including heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and several ECG intervals. We report that all extracts tested produced a fall in blood pressure with little change in ECG intervals. Extract B produced the least change in heart rate with a fall in MAP of approximately 23 mmHg. Changes in heart rate with all extracts appeared to be minimal as an ED25 value could only be determined for extract A, and ED10 values could not be evaluated for extracts C and D. The mechanism(s) by which these extracts produce their hypotensive effects could not be determined in these preliminary experiments. However, it appears not to involve direct effects on cardiac tissue. This conclusion is based on the finding that it took a minimum of 10 to 15 seconds for the hypotensive action to manifest post bolus. Future experiments will be aimed at delineating the mechanism(s) involved in decreasing MAP.(Au)
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Collection:
International databases
Database:
MedCarib
Main subject:
Fruit
/
Hypertension
/
Antihypertensive Agents
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
English Caribbean
/
Jamaica
Language:
English
Journal:
West Indian med. j
Year:
2000
Document type:
Article