Effect of Eucommia ulmoides on Systolic Blood Pressure in the Spontaneous Hypertensive Rat

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to establish the safety and efficacy of Eucommia ulmoides (Du-Zhong) extract in the treatment of hypertension. Pilot experiments using rats demonstrated that E. ulmoides extract was safe to the saturation limits of the compound. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1200 mg/kg when administered by gastric gavage at a concentration of 1200 mg/ml. Also, rats given 200 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg or 1200 mg/kg doses of E. ulmoides extract daily for 28 days demonstrated no evidence of acute toxicity as determined by clinical appearance, histopathology and serum chemistry evaluation. Lastly, spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were administered E. ulmoides extract daily for 22 days. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured on treatment days 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours post-treatment. Beginning on day 8, E. ulmoides extract administered at the mid or high dosages lowered BP in male, but not female, rats. BP declined at a rate of approximately 10 mmHg per hour. The mid dosage of 600 mg/kg was found to be the minimum effective dose. In conclusion, E. ulmoides extract was non-toxic and effective in reducing systolic BP in the SHR.

Comparative absorption kinetics of seven active ingredients of Eucommia ulmoides extracts by intestinal in situ circulatory perfusion in normal and spontaneous hypertensive rats

“…( E. ulmoides ) is a valuable and nourishing Chinese medicinal herb (Chinese name: Duzhong, also known as Sixian, Sizhong and Mumian) and is widely distributed in Guizhou Province. E. ulmoides has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of hypertension (Gu, Wang, Yan, et al, ; Lang, Liu, Taylor, & Baker, ; Luo et al, ). In particular, it exhibits a unique bidirectional regulation of blood pressure in that it is not only able to lower high blood pressure, but can also raise low blood pressure.…”

“…Province. E. ulmoides has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of hypertension (Gu, Wang, Yan, et al, 2011;Lang, Liu, Taylor, & Baker, 2005;Luo et al, 2010). In particular, it exhibits a unique bidirectional regulation of blood pressure in that it is not only able to lower high blood pressure, but can also raise low blood pressure.…”

UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS determination and pharmacokinetics of pinoresinol glucoside and chlorogenic acid in rat plasma after oral administration of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv extract

“…It serves as one of the oldest tonic herbs in benefitting liver and kidney, strengthening tendons, bones and muscle, and preventing miscarriage (Pharmacopoeia Committee of China, ). Studies have shown that the cortex of E. ulmoides possesses various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant (Chen, Zhu, & Ho, ; Hsieh & Yen, ; Lee et al, ; Qu, Lee, & Wang, ; Xu et al, ), antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory (Bonghyun, Kyoungsik, & Chang, ), and antihypertensive (Gu et al, ; Kwan, Zhang, Deyama, & Nishibe, ; Lang, Liu, Taylor, & Baker, ) capacities.…”

Eucommia ulmoides Bark Protects Against Renal Injury in Cadmium-Challenged Rats

“…E. ulmoides bark did not display any evidence of acute or chronic toxicity as determined by clinical appearance, histopathology, and serum chemistry evaluation, up to a maximum dose of 1200 mg/kg. 15 Kidney disease is a major health and social problem among all populations. The causes are many and include hypertension, inflammatory disease, diabetes, obesity, and toxic nephropathies from environmental and occupational hazards that include heavy metals, drugs, and chemicals.…”