title: Renoprotective Effects of Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke in C57BL/6 LDLr-Null Mice Undergoing High Fat Diet.
abstract: Although Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke is used in Brazilian folk medicine as hypolipidemic drug no study has been conducted to evaluate the effects of this species in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible renoprotective activity of methanolic extract obtained from Vitex megapotamica (MEVM) using C57BL/6 LDLr-null mice submitted to high fat diet (HFD). MEVM was orally administered at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, for three weeks, starting from the 2nd week of HFD. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diuretic activity were measured weekly. At the end of experiments the serum lipids, atherogenic index serum (AIS), oxidative stress, and markers of renal function were determined. HFD induced a significant increase in the systolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, increase in AIS, and lipid peroxidation accompanied by an important reduction in renal function. Treatment with MEVM was able to prevent increase in SBP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AIS, urea, and creatinine levels in LDLr-null mice. These effects were accompanied by a significant reduction in oxidative stress and renal injury. The data reported here support the potential of Vitex megapotamica as candidate to be an herbal medicine used in cardiovascular or renal diseases.
authors: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Médicas e da Saúde, Universidade Paranaense, P.O. Box 224, 87.502-210 Umuarama, PR, Brazil.
authors: Valdinei de Oliveira
authors: Vde O
authors: Araújo
authors: Laboratório de Farmacologia Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados, Itahum, Km 12, P.O. Box 533, 79.804-970 Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors: Francielly Mourão
authors: FM
authors: Gasparotto
authors: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Médicas e da Saúde, Universidade Paranaense, P.O. Box 224, 87.502-210 Umuarama, PR, Brazil.
authors: Vanessa Aranega
authors: VA
authors: Pires
authors: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Médicas e da Saúde, Universidade Paranaense, P.O. Box 224, 87.502-210 Umuarama, PR, Brazil.
authors: Aline Antunes
authors: AA
authors: Maciel
authors: Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rua Roberto Sampaio Gonzaga, 88.040-380 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors: Caroline Flach
authors: CF
authors: Ortmann
authors: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Médicas e da Saúde, Universidade Paranaense, P.O. Box 224, 87.502-210 Umuarama, PR, Brazil.
authors: Euclides Lara
authors: EL
authors: Cardozo Junior
authors: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Médicas e da Saúde, Universidade Paranaense, P.O. Box 224, 87.502-210 Umuarama, PR, Brazil.
authors: Emerson Luiz Botelho
authors: EL
authors: Lourenço
authors: Laboratório de Farmacologia Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados, Itahum, Km 12, P.O. Box 533, 79.804-970 Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors: Arquimedes
authors: A
authors: Gasparotto Junior