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Cardiac Protective Effects of Moringa oleifera Seeds in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats
Joseph I Randriamboavonjy, Gervaise Loirand, Nathalie Vaillant1
1INSERM, UMR S1087-CNRS UMR C6291, Nantes, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes, France;
Insights
Moringa oleifera seed powder improved cardiac function and reduced fibrosis in hypertensive rats, despite not lowering blood pressure. This suggests a potential benefit for heart conditions linked to high blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Pharmacology
- Integrative medicine
Background:
- Hypertension leads to cardiac issues like left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis.
- This study explores Moringa oleifera (MOI) seed powder's effects on the heart in hypertensive rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardiac effects of oral Moringa oleifera (MOI) seed powder in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).
Main Methods:
- Spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) were fed MOI seed powder (750mg/d for 8 weeks) or normal food.
- Hemodynamic parameters were measured in vivo via telemetry; cardiac structure and function were assessed using echocardiography.
- Histological studies evaluated fibrosis and protein expression.
Main Results:
- MOI treatment did not alter blood pressure but reduced nocturnal heart rate and improved diastolic function in SHR.
- Cardiac hypertrophy markers (left ventricular wall thickness, relative wall thickness) were reduced.
- Significant reduction in left ventricular fibrosis was observed, linked to increased PPAR-α and δ expression and improved lipid/prostacyclin profiles.
Conclusions:
- MOI demonstrates beneficial effects on cardiac structure and function in hypertensive rats, associated with PPAR-α and δ signaling.
- These findings provide scientific support for the traditional Malagasy medicinal use of MOI for cardiac diseases related to hypertension.
Background:
Hypertension is characterized by a maintained high blood pressure leading to cardiac complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis and an increased risk of heart failure and myocardial infarction. This study investigated the cardiac effects of oral administration of Moringa oleifera (MOI) seed powder in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).
Methods:
SHR received food containing MOI seed powder (750mg/d, 8 weeks) or normal food. In vivo measurement of hemodynamic parameters by telemetry and cardiac structure and function analysis by echocardiography were performed. Histological studies were performed to determine fibrosis and protein expression.
Results:
MOI treatment did not modify blood pressure in SHR but reduced nocturnal heart rate and improved cardiac diastolic function (reduction of isovolumetric relaxation time and deceleration time of the E wave, increase of ejection volume and cardiac output compared to nontreated SHR). Left ventricular anterior wall thickness, interseptal thickness on diastole, and relative wall thickness were reduced after MOI treatment. Furthermore, we found a significant reduction of fibrosis in the left ventricle of MOI-treated SHR. This antihypertrophic and antifibrotic effect of MOI was associated with increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and δ, reduced cardiac triglyceride level, and enhanced plasmatic prostacyclins.
Conclusions:
Our data show a beneficial effect of MOI on the cardiac structure and function in SHR associated with an upregulation of PPAR-α and δ signaling. This study thus provides scientific rational support for the empirical use of MOI in the traditional Malagasy medicine against cardiac diseases associated with blood pressure overload.
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