Clitoria ternatea (Linn.) flower extract attenuates vascular dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy via modulation of Ang II/AT1 R/TGF-β1 cascade in hypertensive rats

Mitigation effect of galangin against aortic dysfunction and hypertrophy in rats with metabolic syndrome

Vascular alterations induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) are involved in the development of hypertension. Galangin, a flavonoid, is the major active compound isolated from galangal and propolis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of galangin on aortic endothelial dysfunction and hypertrophy, and the mechanisms involved in HFD-induced metabolic syndrome (MS) in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (220-240 g) were separated into three groups: control + vehicle, MS + vehicle, and MS + galangin (50 mg/kg). Rats with MS received HFD plus 15% fructose solution for 16 weeks. Galangin or vehicle was orally administered daily for the final four weeks. Galangin reduced body weight and mean arterial pressure in HFD rats (p < 0.05). It also reduced circulating fasting blood glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Impaired vascular responses to the exogenous acetylcholine observed in the aortic ring of HFD rats were restored by galangin (p < 0.05). However, the response to sodium nitroprusside did not differ between the groups. Galangin enhanced the expression of the aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein and increased circulating nitric oxide (NO) levels in the MS group (p < 0.05). Aortic hypertrophy in HFD rats was alleviated by galangin (p < 0.05). Increases in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 levels, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and angiotensin II (Ang II) concentrations in rats with MS were suppressed in galangin treated group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, galangin reduced the upregulation of angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) expression in rats with MS (p < 0.05). In conclusion, galangin alleviates metabolic disorders and improves aortic endothelial dysfunction and hypertrophy in the MS group. These effects were consistent with increased NO availability, reduced inflammation, and suppressing Ang II/AT1R/TGF-β signalling pathway.

Cardiorenal dysfunction and hypertrophy induced by renal artery occlusion are normalized by galangin treatment in rats

Galangin is a polyphenolic compound found in Alpinia officinarum and propolis. This study investigated the effect of galangin on blood pressure, the renin angiotensin system (RAS), cardiac and kidney alterations and oxidative stress in two-kidney one-clipped (2K-1C) hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats (180-220 g), and the rats were given galangin (30 and 60 mg/kg) and losartan (10 mg/kg) for 4 weeks (n = 8/group). Galangin decreased hypertension and cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy, which was related to the reducing circulation angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II concentration (p < 0.05). These effects were consistent with the reduced overexpression of angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT₁R), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and collagen type I (Col I) protein in cardiac tissue (p < 0.05). Additionally, renal artery occlusion, procedure-induced kidney dysfunction and fibrosis were attenuated in the galangin-treated group. Galangin treatment normalized the overexpression of AT₁R and NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox-4) protein and normalized the downregulation of nuclear factor-erythroid Factor 2-related Factor 2 (Nrf-2) and haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in 2K-1C rats (p < 0.05). Galangin exhibited antioxidative effects, as it reduced systemic and tissue oxidative stress markers and increased catalase activity in 2K-1C rats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, galangin attenuated hypertension, renin-angiotensin system activation, cardiorenal damage and oxidative stress induced by renal artery stenosis in rats. These effects might be associated with modulation of the expression of AT₁R, TGF-β1 and Col I protein in the heart as well as AT₁R/Nox-4 and Nrf-2/HO-1 protein in renal tissue in hypertensive rats.