Cardiovascular effects of Juniperus excelsa are mediated through multiple pathways.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Ethnomedicine

Background:

• Juniperus excelsa Bieb. is traditionally used in folk medicine for its blood pressure-lowering properties.
• The plant extract contains bioactive compounds including anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, terpenes, and tannins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cardiovascular effects of Juniperus excelsa crude extract (Je.Cr).
• To elucidate the mechanisms underlying its blood pressure-lowering and vasodilator activities.

Main Methods:

• Assessing the effect of Je.Cr on arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats.
• Evaluating Je.Cr's vasorelaxant effects on isolated rabbit aorta against high K+ and phenylephrine.
• Investigating endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation in rat aortic preparations.
• Examining the cardio-modulatory effects on guinea pig atria and rat electrocardiograms.

Main Results:

• Je.Cr induced a dose-dependent decrease in arterial blood pressure in rats.
• The extract inhibited contractions in isolated rabbit aorta, similar to verapamil and papaverine.
• Je.Cr demonstrated both endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilator activities.
• Cardiac stimulation followed by inhibition was observed in guinea pig atria, and prolonged R-R intervals in rat ECG.

Conclusions:

• The cardiovascular effects of Je.Cr are likely mediated by calcium antagonism, nitric oxide modulation, and phosphodiesterase inhibition.
• These mechanisms support the traditional medicinal use of Juniperus excelsa for managing hypertension.