Antihypertensive and Renal Protective Effects of Oryeongsan in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Oryeongsan (ORS), a traditional medicine used to regulate body fluids, has a long history of use as a diuretic in Korea, China, and Japan. ORS is commonly thought to lower blood pressure, but high-quality data on its effects are sparse. The purpose of this study was to determine the antihypertensive and renal protective effects of ORS in rats with hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two groups with similar mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Then, 10 mL/kg of vehicle (distilled water) or 200 mg/kg of ORS extract were administered orally once a day for 3 weeks. SBP and DBP were measured at weeks 1, 2, and 3. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and kidneys were removed for histology. By the 2nd and 3rd week after initiation of treatment, the ORS-treated group had significantly lower SBP than control-treated rats (191.3 ± 6.5 vs. 206.3 ± 9.8 mmHg, p = 0.022 at the 2nd week; 195.8 ± 7.8 vs. 217.0 ± 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.003 at the 3rd week, respectively). The ORS-treated group trended toward having a lower DBP than control, but there was no significant difference. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) were not different between the ORS-treated and control groups (BUN: 23.7 ± 1.1 vs. 22.7 ± 2.8 mg/dL, p = 0.508; Cr: 19.0 ± 2.2 vs. 21.6 ± 2.1 μM, p = 0.083, respectively). The percentage of renal tissue affected by tubulointerstitial fibrosis was significantly lower in the ORS-treated group (1.68 ± 0.60) compared to controls (3.17 ± 0.96, p = 0.019). These findings suggest that treatment with ORS reduces SBP and ameliorates renal damage in SHR.

Amelioration of Hypertension by Oryeongsan through Improvements of Body Fluid and Sodium Balance: Roles of the Renin-Angiotensin System and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide System

“…It was also shown that chronic treatment with ORS decreased high blood pressure in renovascular (two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C)) hypertensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) [ 8 , 9 ] with a decrease in plasma levels of renin and aldosterone, suppression of the angiotensin II subtype 1 (AT 1 ) receptor mRNA expression, and accentuation of the ACE2 mRNA expression in the ventricular myocardium from SHR [ 9 ]. These reports suggest that ORS improves the function of the cardiorenal system.…”

Goreisan alleviates cerebral oedema by inhibiting aquaporin 4 function: In vivo study using an established mouse model of cerebral oedema

“…Goreisan (GRS), traditionally known as a diuretic, is an approved Kampo medicine in Japan with indications for headache, oedema, and diarrhoea [21]. It is clinically effective in treating headaches and chronic subdural haematoma [22][23][24][25].…”

“…Additionally, cerebral oedema formation in AQP4 knockout mice is mild [20]. Hence, suppressing AQP4 function could inhibit cerebral oedema formation.Goreisan (GRS), traditionally known as a diuretic, is an approved Kampo medicine in Japan with indications for headache, oedema, and diarrhoea [21]. It is clinically effective in treating headaches and chronic subdural haematoma [22][23][24][25].…”

Goreisan alleviates cerebral oedema by inhibiting aquaporin 4 function: In vivo study using an established mouse model of cerebral oedema

“…Hence, suppressing AQP4 function could inhibit cerebral oedema formation. Goreisan (GRS), traditionally known as a diuretic, is an approved Kampo medicine in Japan with indications for headache, oedema, and diarrhoea [21]. It is clinically effective in treating headaches and chronic subdural haematoma [22][23][24][25].…”