Indonesian herbal medicine prevents hypertension-induced left ventricular hypertrophy by diminishing NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative stress

Abstract

Indonesian herbal medicine Centella asiatica, Justicia gendarussa and Imperata cylindrica decoction (CJID) are known to be efficacious for hypertension. Oxidative stress plays an important role in hypertension-induced left ventricular hypertrophy (H-LVH). This study evaluated whether CJID inhibit cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) through mechanism of oxidative stress-related cardiac-NADPH oxidase (NOXs) pathway: NOX1, NOX2 and NOX4. Forty-weeks-old SHRs and normotensive-WKY rats, were both randomly divided into 2 groups: CJID and control. All rats were treated for 5 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured. LV morphology, function and performance were assessed by histological staining and echocardiography. Serum and cardiac superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were assessed. Cardiac superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) productions, protein expressions of SOD2, SOD3, NOX1, NOX2 and NOX4 were also determined. We found that SBP and HR were significantly decreased in SHRs-treated group. Echocardiography showed that CJID significantly improved LV morphometry and function. CJID decreased MDA level, but increased SOD activity. Cardiac superoxide and H2O2 generation were decreased in SHRs-treated group. CJID caused cardiac SODs expressions to be increased but NOXs expressions to be suppressed. In conclusion, CJID prevents H-LVH by reducing reactive oxygen species production via the NOXs-dependent pathway.

A botanical from the antiproliferative Cameroonian spice, Imperata cylindrica is safe at lower doses, as demonstrated by oral acute and sub-chronic toxicity screenings

“…LDL is also known as bad cholesterol because its increase is linked to an increase in cardiovascular risk. The decrease of this particular lipid level by ICR confirms the results of the work of Mak-Mensah et al [32], Rouslin et al [33] and Sulistyowati et al [34] which showed that the plant used in this study is effective against a cardiovascular disorder such as hypertension, since it is widely accepted that hypertension is associated with an increased blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).…”

Vasculoprotective effects of Centella asiatica, Justicia gendarussa and Imperata cylindrica decoction via the NOXs-ROS-NF-κB pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats

“…Researches have indicated that the active ingredients of CJI are potential; it not only prevents hypertension-induced heart disease but also inhibits vascular remodeling. 11 , 48 , 49 The oral administration of CJI decoction for five weeks reduced systolic blood pressure in SHR by 24.2% at the end of the study, and the average blood pressure lowering was at 51.3 points. 11 CJI contains so many active ingredients that function as radical scavenging activities.…”

“… 11 , 48 , 49 The oral administration of CJI decoction for five weeks reduced systolic blood pressure in SHR by 24.2% at the end of the study, and the average blood pressure lowering was at 51.3 points. 11 CJI contains so many active ingredients that function as radical scavenging activities. Rich content of polyphenols from CJI show an important antioxidant activity.…”

“…Medicinal plants Centella asiatica leaves, Justicia gendarussa leaves and Imperata cylindrica roots are known as an Indonesian traditional medicine to treat hypertension. 11 These plants have rich substantial compounds where a large body of pharmacological studies denote whether their active compounds have a critical function in the cardiovascular system. Centella asiatica has the potential to protect vascular wall modifications in chronic venous hypertension and preserve the vascular endothelial cells, 12 , 13 as well as having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, 14 , 15 and cardiomyopathy protection.…”

“…Our previous study has demonstrated that a formulation of these plants inhibited left ventricular hypertrophy in SHRs via the pathway of oxidative stress diminution through the NOXs suppression. 11 The herbs formulation has been traditionally used in treating hypertension both in jamu healthcare services and by the Javanese people in Indonesia. However, it is still unclear whether CJID can inhibit vascular remodeling that is caused by hypertension.…”