Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Murine Model of Thoracic Aortic Dissection Induced by Oral β-Aminopropionitrile and Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion
Published on: May 16, 2025
Semen Brassicae reduces thoracic aortic remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative damage in spontaneously hypertensive
Fengxia Lin1, Xiaojing Huang1, Fuya Xing1
1Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Group, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518133, China.
Background:
This study aimed to evaluate the role of Semen Brassicae, a common Traditional Chinese Medicine, in the treatment of hypertension.
Methods:
Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were divided into five groups and were gavaged with either distilled water, water-decocted solution from Semen Brassicae (0.5, 1 or 2 g/kg), or nifedipine (2.7 mg/kg). Normal rats gavaged with distilled water were used as a control. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using a non-invasive method. After 8 weeks of administration, all animals were anesthetized. Abdominal aortic serum was collected to measure serum factors; the thoracic aorta was collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blot analysis.
Results:
Both SBP and DBP were significantly decreased after Semen Brassicae treatment. Endothelin-1 and angiotensin II levels in abdominal aortic serum, as well as the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, were significantly decreased after Semen Brassicae treatment. The wall thickness of the thoracic aorta was significantly reduced after Semen Brassicae treatment. Nitric oxide level and the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased, and malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased in the abdominal aortic serum after Semen Brassicae treatment. Semen Brassicae treatment increased the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and IκB-α and decreased the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, von Willebrand factor, p-IκB-α and p-p65 NF-κB.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, water-decocted solution from Semen Brassicae can decrease blood pressure, improve vascular remodeling, and attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation in SHRs.
