PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS

February 2017; Vol. 4 (Issue 1): 37-46.

www.onlinepbe.com ISSN 2394-0859

Research Article

Antihypertensive activity of Beta vulgaris on dexamethasone

induced hypertension in rats
Dignesh Patel1, Rupali Patil1, Alkesh Patel2*
1
Department of Pharmacology, M. G. V.’S Pharmacy College, Panchavati, Nashik, India
2
Department of Pharmacology, Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Vadodara, India

*For correspondence ABSTRACT

Mr. Alkesh Patel,
Department of Pharmacology,
Parul Institute of Pharmacy,
Vadodara, India.
Email: alkesh.patel@
paruluniversity.ac.in
Objective: Investigation of methanolic extract for detecting the presence
of Betanin by phytochemical analysis, to induce experimental
hypertension and to carry out measurement of BP by invasive (direct)
method (IBP) and vascular reactivity to various catecholamines after
completion of treatment schedule.
Methods: The animals were divided into six main groups. Each group
contains 5 animals. Group I received vehicle , group II received
dexamethasone injection (20 µg/kg/day, s.c.) for 14 days , group III
received extract of Beta vulgaris (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days ,
group IV received extract of Beta vulgaris (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14
days , group V received dexamethasone injection (20 ug/kg/day, s.c.) and
extract of Beta vulgaris (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days and group VI
received dexamethasone (DEXA) injection (20 µg/kg/day, s.c.) and
extract of Beta vulgaris (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days. After 14 days
of dosing period body weight, ECG and changes in vascular reactivity to
various catecholamines were recorded using Powerlab 4SP (AD
Instrument, Australia).
Results: Animals treated with dexamethasone along with Beta vulgaris
(100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) showed a significant (p<0.05)
decrease in heart rate compared to Dexamethasone treated group.
Dexamethasone administered rats showed a significant elevation
(p<0.05) in systolic blood pressure (SBP), vascular reactivity changes to
Catecholamine as compared to control group. Beta vulgaris extract (100,
300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) treatment for 14 days in dexamethasone
administered rats significantly (p<0.05) reduced systolic blood pressure,
vascular reactivity changes to catecholamines as compared to
dexamethasone administered group.

Received: 29 December 2016

Conclusions: The methanolic-HCl extract of Beta vulgaris has
Revised: 16 January 2017 antihypertensive activity in dexamethasone model.
Accepted: 27 January 2017 Keywords: Hypertension, Dexamethasone, Beta vulgaris

©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 37

Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
Introduction
Hypertension is defined conventionally as a
sustained increase in blood pressure up to
140/90 mmHg. Hypertension is the prevalent
cause of cardiovascular disease that leads to
heart failure, stroke, renal failure and ultimately
death. The syndrome of hypertension is more
than just an elevation of arterial pressure,
although it is this aspect that the general public
is most familiar. The occurrence of hypertension
increases with old age. About 50% of people
between the ages of 60 and 69 years old found
with hypertension, and the prevalence is further
increased beyond age 70.1 The striking impact of
aging was seen among participants in the
Framingham Heart Study in that normotensive
person at either age 55 or 65 after 20 years
follow-up it was found that, hypertension
developed in 90% of those who were now aged
75 or 85 (providing 2 cohorts).2 Hypertension
caused 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all
coronary heart disease deaths in India.3
High blood pressure (BP) is estimated to account
for 6% of deaths worldwide and is the most
common treatable risk factor for cardiovascular
disease (CVD).4 During the last 3 decades,
hypertension therapy has improved well,
contributing to a decrease in the incidence of
mortality due to stroke and coronary heart
disease (CHD).
According to analysis of worldwide data for the
global burden of Hypertension, 20.6% of Indian
men and 20.9% of Indian women were suffering
from HTN in 2005 that is expected reach up to
22.9%and 23.6% for Indian men and women,
respectively by 2025.5
Materials and Methods
Animals
Adult male albino Wistar rats of either sex,
weighting 150-200 g, obtained from Bharat
Serum and Vaccines Ltd., Thane, India, were
used for the study. They were housed in
polypropylene cages lined with husk, renewed
every 48h under 12:12 h light dark cycle at
around 25 ± 5°C. They were fed with
commercial pellet rat chow and given water ad
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
libitum. The experiment was carried out
according to the guidelines of the Committee for
the Purpose of Control and Supervision of
Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), New
Delhi, India, and approved by the MGV’s
Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (Protocol
number: MGV/PC/XXVI/01/2011-12).
Drugs and chemicals
Adrenaline (Adr), noradrenaline (NA),
phenylephirne (PE), serotonin (5-HT) and
Urethane were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich,
st. Louis, MO, USA. All other chemicals used in
the study were of analytical grade.
Plant
Roots of Beta vulgaris were obtained from local
market, Nasik and were identified by Dr. J.
Jayanti, Scientist, Botanical Survey of India,
Pune where a voucher specimen (DRP-1) has
been retained.
Preparation of extract6
The extraction was carried out by maceration
process. Roots of Beta vulgaris (1 kg) were
purchased from local market, cleaned with
water. The roots were uniformly chopped. The
chopped pieces were subjected to maceration
with 1% methanolic HCl for two days with
frequent shaking the macerating flask. The
macerated product was then air dried for
removal of methanol (yield: 5.2% w/w).
Phytochemical investigation6
1. The extracted samples were heated in 2 M
HCl for 5 min at 100º C. The colour was
vanished, this showed the presence of
betacyanin.
2. To the extracted sample solution 2M NaOH
was added drop wise and the colour changed
to yellow, which shows the presence of
betacyanin.
Acute toxicity study
Acute toxicity study was performed according to
OECD guideline 425 for oral dose in that Beta
vulgaris extract dissolved in water and
administered at 2000 mg/kg dose and observed.
38
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
After administration, Irwin’s test was conducted
in which animals were observed for gross
behavioral changes like responsiveness,
awareness, irritability, passivity, grooming, and
restlessness with neurological profile like
spontaneous motor activity, reactivity and
tremor, touch and pain stimuli response was also
evaluated. Autonomic profile like writhing,
defecation and urination was evaluated.
Experimental design
The animals were divided into six main groups.
Each group contains 5 animals. Group I received
vehicle, group II received dexamethasone
injection (20 mcg/kg/day, s.c.) for 14 days,
group III received extract of Beta vulgaris (100
mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days, group IV received
extract of Beta vulgaris (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.)
for 14 days, group V received dexamethasone
injection (20 mcg/kg/day, s.c.) and extract of
Beta vulgaris (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days
and group VI received dexamethasone injection
(20 mcg/kg/day, s.c.) and extract of Beta
vulgaris (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days. After
14 days of dosing period body weight, ECG and
changes in vascular reactivity to various
catecholamines were recorded using Powerlab
4SP (AD Instrument, Australia).
Estimation of parameters
a. Measurement of invasive blood pressure
After completion of treatment schedule, rats
from each group were anesthetized with
urethane (120 mg/100 g). Tracheotomy was
performed; left common carotid artery was
cannulated and means arterial blood pressure
was recorded using pressure transducer direct
method on chart data system (Power Lab/4sp
AD Instrument, Australia). Heparinized saline
(100 IU/ml) was filled in the transducer and in
the fine polyethylene catheter cannulated to the
carotid artery to prevent clotting. After 15 min
of stabilization, mean arterial blood pressure and
heart rate were recorded.7
b. Pressure-rate index (PRI)
The PRI, a parameter used as an index of
myocardial oxygen demand, was calculated as
the product of MABP x HR/10008.
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
c. Vascular reactivity to Catecholamines9
The animals were anesthetized with urethane
(120 mg/100 gm). The body temperature was
monitored and maintained at 37°C during the
experimental protocol. The neck was opened
with a ventral midline incision to perform
tracheotomy and rat was ventilated with room
air. The left femoral vein was used for infusion
of saline and various catecholamines during the
experiment. The right carotid artery was
cannulated and the cannula was filled with
heparinized saline (100 IU/ml) and using
pressure transducer the systolic blood pressure
was recorded. The animals were allowed to
stabilize for 15 min before recording the ECG
and heart rate and after that vascular reactivity to
Adr (1 µg/kg) , NA (1 µg/kg), PE (1 µg/kg) and
5-HT (1 µg/kg) were recorded.
Results and Discussion
Acute toxicity study
At the dose of 2000 mg/kg, no any sign of
toxicities were found in all animals.
Heart rate
The heart rate in control animals was recorded
as 237.7 ± 13.74 beats per minute. The DEXA
administered group exhibited significant
increase in heart rate compared to control
animals. Animals treated with DEXA along with
Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14
days) showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in
heart rate compared to DEXA treated group.
Figure 1: Effect of Beta vulgaris on heart rate
in dexamethasone induced hypertension in
rats.
39
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
Figure 2: Effect of Beta vulgaris on mean
invasive blood pressure in dexamethasone
induced hypertension in rats.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
MIBP: Mean invasive blood pressure.
Measurement of invasive blood pressure (mean
arterial blood pressure)
The blood pressure in control animals was
recorded as 73.6 ± 5.87 mmHg. The DEXA
administered group showed significant increase
in the blood pressure compared to control
animals. No significant alterations in blood
pressure were observed in the animals treated
with Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for
14 days) compared to control animals. Rats
treated with DEXA along with Beta vulgaris
(100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) showed a
significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood pressure
compared to DEXA treated group.
Pressure-rate index (PRI)
The PRI in control animals was recorded as
17.68 ± 2.124 mmHg/min. The DEXA
administered group significantly increases the
PRI as compared to control animals. Animals
treated with DEXA along with Beta vulgaris
(100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) showed a
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
significant (p<0.05) decrease in PRI compared
to DEXA treated group.
Figure 3: Effect of Beta vulgaris on pressure
rate index in dexamethasone induced
hypertension in rats.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
PRI: Pressure rate index.
Vascular Reactivity to Catecholamines
a. Effect of Beta vulgaris on adrenaline (1
mcg/kg i.v.) induced change in vascular
reactivity.
The increase in blood pressure by adrenaline (1
mcg/kg i.v.) in control animals was recorded at
78.2 ± 2.728 mmHg. The DEXA administered
group exhibited significant increase in the blood
pressure compared to control animals. No
significant alterations were found in animals
treated with Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg
p.o. for 14 days). Rats treated with DEXA along
with Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for
14 days) showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease
in blood pressure compared to DEXA treated
group.
b. Effect of Beta vulgaris on noradrenaline (1
mcg/kg i.v.) induced change in vascular
reactivity.
The increase in blood pressure by NA (1 mcg/kg
i.v.) in control animals was recorded as 92.4 ±
2.977 mm of Hg. The DEXA administered
40
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
group exhibited significant increase in the blood
pressure compared to control animals. Animal
group treated with Beta vulgaris (300 mg/kg p.o.
for 14 days) per se showed significant decrease
in blood pressure compared to control group.
Rats treated with DEXA along with Beta
vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days)
showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood
pressure compared to DEXA treated group.
120 * #
#
Mean IBP(mm of Hg)
100
80
60
40
20
0
Treatment Groups
Figure 4: Effect of Beta vulgaris on
adrenaline (1 mcg/kg i.v.) induced change in
vascular reactivity.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
MIBP: Mean invasive blood pressure.
Figure 5: Effect of Beta vulgaris on
noradrenaline (1 mcg/kg i.v.) induced change
in vascular reactivity.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
MIBP: Mean invasive blood pressure.
c. Effect of Beta vulgaris on phenylephrine
(1mcg/kg i.v) induced change in vascular
reactivity
The increase in blood pressure by PE (1 mcg/kg
i.v.) in control animals was recorded as 91 ±
3.194 mmHg. The DEXA administered group
exhibited significant increase in the blood
pressure compared to control animals. Animal
group treated with Beta vulgaris (300 mg/kg p.o.
for 14 days) per se showed significant decrease
in blood pressure compared to control group.
Rats treated with DEXA along with Beta
vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o. for 14 days)
showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood
pressure compared to DEXA treated group.
Figure 6: Effect of Beta vulgaris on
phenylephrine (1 mcg/kg i.v) induced change
in vascular reactivity.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
MIBP: Mean invasive blood pressure.
d. Effect of Beta vulgaris on 5-HT (1 mcg/kg i.v.)
induced change in vascular reactivity.
The increase in blood pressure by 5-HT (1
mcg/kg i.v.) in control animals was recorded as
59 ± 4.794 mm of Hg. The DEXA administered
group exhibited significant increase in the blood
pressure compared to control animals. Animal
group treated with Beta vulgaris (300 mg/kg p.o.
for 14 days) showed significant decrease in
blood pressure compared to control group. Rats
41
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
treated with DEXA along with Beta vulgaris
(100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) showed a
significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood pressure
compared to DEXA treated group.
Hypertension is the most common primary
diagnosis and most common cause of death in
the United States. The incidence and prevalence
of hypertension is about 50% higher in African-
American adults compared with their
counterparts who are white or Mexican-
American.10 It is estimated that 50 million
Americans are affected by hypertension. Of
these 50 million, only 70% (35 million) are
aware of their condition. In addition, only 50%
(17.5 million) of those aware of their condition
are receiving treatment. Remarkably, only 25%
of all hypertensive patients have their blood
pressure under control.11 The life-long risk of
developing hypertension in normotensives after
the sixth decade of life is approximately 90%.
Figure 7: Effect of Beta vulgaris on 5-HT (1
mcg/kg i.v.) induced change in vascular
reactivity.
All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=5. All data are
subjected to One-Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.
* p<0.05 when compared to control and # p<0.05 when
compared to DEXA group. Vertical lines represent SEM.
CTR: Control. DEXA: Dexamethasone. BV: Beta vulgaris.
MIBP: Mean invasive blood pressure.
According to one survey, only 25% of the
people taking modern treatment of hypertension
are able to keep their arterial BP within normal
range. The reasons for this are many, including
the adverse effects of drugs and relatively high
cost of treatment. The Ayurvedic approach gives
emphasis on the individualization of the
treatment and it also makes sure that the
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
treatment is affordable for the hypertension and
many of the cardiovascular diseases.
Despite of the vast literature of drugs being
available for the treatment of hypertension, the
last two decades have observed the introduction
of a large number of newer antihypertensive
drugs. The worldwide increasing demand for
medicine from natural sources has prompted to
search for plants with potential antihypertensive
effect. Beta vulgaris (Beet root) is claimed to
possess potential antioxidants betanin and also
the inorganic nitrite which are claimed to have a
good antihypertensive activity.12
Several models have been proposed for the
induction of hypertension in rats. Here in the
present study dexamethasone was used for the
induction of hypertension in rats.
Dexamethasone has been proposed to induce
hypertension by several pathways. Hypertension
may be associated with an increase in oxidative
stress as a possible mechanism for the increased
vascular tone and organ injury. It was also
reported that an increased production of reactive
oxygen species and endothelial cell death in the
microcirculation were the causes of hypertension
in rats.
Tracings
Figure 8: Tracing of MIBP record of control
group.
42
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
It was hypothesize that xanthine oxidase (XO)
may be a potential source of oxidants induced by
glucocorticoid induced hypertension.
Mammalian cells are capable of generating
metabolites of oxygen, referred to as reactive
oxygen species (ROS) via the action of several
enzymes. In vascular cells, ROS are
predominantly produced by the NADPH
oxidases, uncoupled nitric oxide synthase,
xanthine oxidase and by mitochondrial sources.
In hypertension, ROS production by these
sources is increased, and this not only
contributes to hypertension, but also causes
vascular disease and dysfunction. ROS
production in other organs, particularly the
kidney and the centers within the brain, likely
participate in blood pressure regulation13.
Perturbations in the various pathophysiological
systems affecting blood pressure such as plasma
volume, renin-angiotensinaldosterone system,
sympathetic activity, vasopressor and
vasodepressor systems have been proposed as
contributing to dexamethasone-induced
hypertension.
Figure 9: Tracing of MIBP record of DEXA
group.
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
Although there are no published data on the role
of NO based on acute NO synthase blockade or
sequential blockade of vasoactive systems in
DEX-HT, there is accumulating evidence
suggesting a role for NO deficiency in the
pathogenesis of DEX-HT. Plasma nitrate/nitrite,
a marker of total body NO synthesis, are reduced
in rats and mice made hypertensive by
dexamethasone treatment. The reduced
availability of NO might result from a range of
influences on the NO biosynthetic pathways: i)
alteration in the activity and expression of NO
synthases ii) decreased availability of
tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a NOS cofactor, iii)
decreased NO precursor L-arginine and iv)
increased NO removal via its interaction with
superoxide to form peroxynitrite14. Ingestion of
dietary nitrate (beetroot juice) results in
increased plasma nitrite concentration via
bioconversion in vivo. This bioactive nitrite
substantially decreases BP, inhibits platelet
aggregation and prevents endothelial
dysfunction in healthy volunteers. These
findings suggest that dietary nitrate likely plays
a major role in mediating the beneficial effects
of a vegetable-rich diet. Beetroot commonly
have high inorganic nitrate (NO3−) content. In
humans, following absorption through the
stomach wall, ~25% of consumed nitrate enters
the enterosalivary circulation where it is reduced
to nitrite (NO2−) by bacterial nitrate reductases
from facultative anaerobes on the dorsal surface
of the tongue. This nitrite is swallowed and in
the acidic environment of the stomach is reduced
to nitric oxide (NO) or re-enters the circulation
as nitrite. Indeed, it has been hypothesized that
dietary nitrate represents an intravascular source
of the pleiotropic, vasoprotective molecule nitric
oxide (NO), that supplements conventional NO
generation by NO synthases.15
The DEXA administered group showed
significant increase in the blood pressure
compared to control animals. Normal animals
treated with Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg)
showed normal blood pressure. Rats treated with
Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14
days) and DEXA a showed a significant
(p<0.05) decrease in blood pressure compared to
DEXA treated group.
43
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.

Figure 10: Tracing of MIBP record of BV 100

mg/kg group.

Figure 12: Tracing of MIBP record of DEXA

+ BV 100 mg/kg group.

Figure 11: Tracing of MIBP record of BV 300

mg/kg group.

Figure 13: Tracing of MIBP record of DEXA

+ BV 300 mg/kg group.

©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 44

Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
For pressure rate index the DEXA administered
group significantly increase the PRI as
compared to control animals. Animals treated
with DEXA along with Beta vulgaris (100 and
300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) showed a
significant (p<0.05) decrease in PRI compared
to DEXA treated group. For heart rate the
DEXA administered group significantly increase
in heart rate as compared to control animals.
Animals treated with DEXA along with Beta
vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days)
showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in heart
rate compared to DEXA treated group.
For vascular reactivity to catecholamines, the
DEXA administered group exhibited significant
increase in the blood pressure compared to
control animals. Normal animals treated with
Beta vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14
days) showed normal blood pressure. Rats
treated with DEXA along with Beta vulgaris
(100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) showed a
significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood pressure
compared to DEXA treated group.
Conclusions
The present investigation highlights the effect of
methanolic extract of Beta vulgaris, prepared
from root of Beta vulgaris on BP induced by
dexamethasone. The effect of Beta vulgaris on
pressure rate index, heart rate, blood pressure,
vascular reactivity to various catecholamines
were studied. For pressure rate index the DEXA
administered group significantly increase the
PRI as compared to control animals. Normal
animals treated with Beta vulgaris (100 and 300
mg/kg p.o. for 14 days) + DEXA showed a
significant (p<0.05) decrease in PRI compared
to DEXA treated group. For heart rate the
DEXA administered group significantly increase
in heart rate as compared to control animals.
Animals treated with DEXA along with Beta
vulgaris (100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days)
showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in heart
rate compared to DEXA treated group.
Dexamethasone administered rats showed a
significant elevation (p<0.05) in systolic blood
pressure (SBP), vascular reactivity changes to
Adr, NA, PE, and 5-HT as compared to control
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
group. Beta vulgaris extract (100, 300
mg/kg/day, p.o.) treatment for 14 days in
dexamethasone administered rats significantly
(p<0.05) reduced systolic blood pressure,
vascular reactivity changes to Adr, NA, PE, and
5-HT as compared to dexamethasone
administered group. The basal arterial blood
pressure, pressor responses to Adr, NA, PE and
5-HT were not significantly altered in Beta
vulgaris extract (100, 300 mg/kg/day, p.o)
treated rats as compared to control rats .
Thus in conclusion the methanolic-HCl extract
of Beta vulgaris has antihypertensive activity in
dexamethasone model.
Funding: No funding sources
Conflict of interest: None declared
References
1. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR.
Seventh Report of the Joint National
Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood
Pressure. Hypertension. 2003;42:1206-52.
2. Vasan RS, Beiser A, Seshadri S, Larson
MG, Kannel WB, D'Agostino RB, et al.
Residual lifetime risk for developing
hypertension in middle-aged women and
men: The Framingham Heart Study. JAMA.
2002;287(8):1003-10.
3. Gupta R, Misra A, Pais P, Rastogi P, Gupta
VP. Correlation of regional cardiovascular
disease mortality in India with lifestyle and
nutritional factors. Int J Cardiol.
2006;108(3):291-300.
4. Murray CJ, Lopez AD. Global mortality,
disability, and the contribution of risk
factors: Global Burden of Disease Study.
Lancet. 1997;349:1436–42.
5. Kearney PM, Whelton M, Reynolds K,
Muntner P, Whelton PK, He J. Global
burden of hypertension: analysis of
worldwide data. Lancet. 2005;365:217–23.
6. Harborne JB. Phytochemical methods A
Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant
Analysis, Published by Chapman and Hall,
3rd edition; 1997: 74.
7. Ganesan B, Anandan R. Protective effect of
betaine on changes in the levels of
45
Patel D. et al. Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations 2017; Vol. 4 (1): 37-46.
lysosomal enzyme activities in heart tissue
in isoprenaline-induced myocardial
infarction in Wistar rats. Cell Stress and
Chaperones. 2009;14:661–7.
8. Nossuli TO, Hayward R, Scalia R, Lefer
AM. Peroxynitrite reduces myocardial
infarct size and preserves coronary
endothelium after ischemia and reperfusion
in cats. Circulation. 1997;96:2317–24.
9. Hruza Z, Zweifach BW. Effect of Age on
vascular reactivity to catecholamines in rats.
J Gerontol. 1967;22(4):469-73.
10. Whelton A, White WB, Bello AE, Puma JA,
Fort JG. Effects of celecoxib and rofecoxib
on blood pressure and edema in patients > or
= 65 years of age with systemic
hypertension and osteoarthritis. Am J
Cardiol. 2002;90:959–63.
11. Brashers VL, McCance KL. Structure and
function of the cardiovascular and lymphatic
systems. In: McCance KL, Huether SE,
Brashers VL, Rote, NS, eds.
©Pharmaceutical and Biological Evaluations
Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for
Disease in Adults and Children, 6th ed.
Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier;
2010: 1091-1141.
12. Lapa TA. Validacao de plants medicinais
traditional. Reunion Annual Repronamed
/Quimica Fina. Farmaceutica/CYTED-D.
Asuncion, Paraguay; 1992: 23-27.
13. Camille J, Wallwork A, Dale A, Parks Geert
BW. Xanthine oxidase activity in the
dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rat.
Microvascular Research. 2003;66:30–7.
14. Lee JU et al. Altered Nitric Oxide System in
Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases.
Chonnam Medical Journal. 2016;52.2:81–
90.
15. Webb AJ et al. Acute blood pressure
lowering, vasoprotective and anti-platelet
properties of dietary nitrate via
bioconversion to nitrite. Hypertension.
2008;51(3):784–90.
46