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Planta Med 2014; 80(17): 1580-1587
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1383122
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antihypertensive Effect of Carica papaya Via a Reduction in ACE Activity and Improved Baroreflex

Girlandia Alexandre Brasil
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
Silas Nascimento Ronchi
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
Andrews Marques do Nascimento
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
Ewelyne Miranda de Lima
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
Wanderson Romão
2   Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the Espírito Santo – IFES, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
3   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo – UFES, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
,
Helber Barcellos da Costa
3   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo – UFES, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
,
Rodrigo Scherer
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
José Aires Ventura
4   Capixaba Intitute of Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension – Incaper, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
,
Dominik Lenz
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
Nazaré Souza Bissoli
5   Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo – UFES, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
,
Denise Coutinho Endringer   *
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
2   Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the Espírito Santo – IFES, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
,
Tadeu Uggere de Andrade   *
1   Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha – UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
6   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo – UFES, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 30 January 2014
revised 08 August 2014

accepted 28 August 2014

Publication Date:
08 October 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of the standardised methanolic extract of Carica papaya, its angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory effects in vivo, its effect on the baroreflex and serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and its chemical composition. The chemical composition of the methanolic extract of C. papaya was evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass/mass and mass/mass spectrometry. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory effect was evaluated in vivo by Ang I administration. The antihypertensive assay was performed in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar rats that were treated with enalapril (10 mg/kg), the methanolic extract of C. papaya (100 mg/kg; twice a day), or vehicle for 30 days. The baroreflex was evaluated through the use of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine. Angiotensin converting enzyme activity was measured by ELISA, and cardiac hypertrophy was evaluated by morphometric analysis. The methanolic extract of C. papaya was standardised in ferulic acid (203.41 ± 0.02 µg/g), caffeic acid (172.60 ± 0.02 µg/g), gallic acid (145.70 ± 0.02 µg/g), and quercetin (47.11 ± 0.03 µg/g). The flavonoids quercetin, rutin, nicotiflorin, clitorin, and manghaslin were identified in a fraction of the extract. The methanolic extract of C. papaya elicited angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity. The antihypertensive effects elicited by the methanolic extract of C. papaya were similar to those of enalapril, and the baroreflex sensitivity was normalised in treated spontaneously hypertensive rats. Plasma angiotensin converting enzyme activity and cardiac hypertrophy were also reduced to levels comparable to the enalapril-treated group. These results may be associated with the chemical composition of the methanolic extract of C. papaya, and are the first step into the development of a new phytotherapic product which could be used in the treatment of hypertension.

Key words

baroreflex - ACE inhibition - flavonoids - quercetin - antihypertensive - Carica papaya - Caricaceae

* These two authors contributed equally to this work.


 

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