Hypotensive activity of auraptene, a monoterpene coumarin from Citrus spp.
BACKGROUND
Citrus spp. (Rutaceae) are well-documented for their cardioprotective properties. Auraptene is a bioactive monoterpene coumarin ether abundantly present in the Citrus spp.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hypotensive activity of auraptene.


METHODS
Different groups of normotensive rats (n = 5 in each group) were subjected to single intravenous injections of auraptene (125, 250 and 500 µg/kg), nifedipine (as positive control; 63, 125 and 250 µg/kg) or negative control [DMSO/normal saline (1:3)]. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated following each treatment.


RESULTS
A dose-dependent hypotensive effect was observed following auraptene injection, which was significant at 250 and 500 µg/kg (p < 0.001) but not 125 µg/kg (p > 0.05). With respect to the positive control, nifedipine reduced MABP at all tested doses, dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.001). The MABP lowering effect of auraptene was found to be significantly lower than that of nifedipine (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In light of the present findings, auraptene has moderate hypotensive activity. Further investigations are recommended to explore the effects of higher doses as well as oral administration of this phytochemical.
Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohsen
M
Imenshahidi
Mohammad
M
Eghbal
Amirhossein
A
Sahebkar
Mehrdad
M
Iranshahi
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D003374:Coumarins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D003374:Coumarins; C105832:aurapten; D009543:Nifedipine