Phytochemical analysis and hypotensive potential of Teucrium stocksianum Boiss

Teucrium stocksianum Boiss. is an aromatic perennial herb. It has long been used traditionally in the treatment of hypertension in northern areas of Pakistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate its folkloric claim as hypotensive plant, phytochemical analysis and to predict potential phytoconstituent through in-silico studies. Hypotensive effect was investigated in anesthetized normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats. Recording of chronotropic and inotropic effect of plant extract in isolated right atria was done using tissue organ bath technique. Further, phytochemical characterization was performed through LC-MS. Whereas docking studies were carried out against M2 mAchR and Ca²⁺ Channel receptor. Dose dependent reduction in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure and heart rate was observed. Pretreatment with atropine and amlodipine significantly (p<0.001) reduced the hypotensive and negative chronotropic and inotropic effect. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of twenty active compounds including Luteolin, Sarmentosin epoxide and Quinic acid. Docking studies showed pronounced interactions of majority of these phytochemicals with M2 mAch receptor in agonistic way and Ca²⁺ Channel receptor in antagonistic way. Results speculate that dose dependent hypotensive and bradycardia effect of Teucrium stocksianum are mediated through muscarinic pathway and Ca²⁺antagonism and is also well predicted by in-silico studies.