Antihypertensive activity of roasted cashew nut in mixed petroleum fractions-induced hypertension: An in vivo and in silico approaches
Jacob Kehinde Akintunde,
Victoria Omoyemi Akomolafe,
Odunayo Anthonia Taiwo,
Iqrar Ahmad,
Harun Patel,
Adeola Osifeso,
Adefuye Oluwafemi Olusegun,
Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo
Affiliations
Jacob Kehinde Akintunde
Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria
Victoria Omoyemi Akomolafe
Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Chrisland University, Ajebo Abeokuta, Ogun-state; Corresponding authors.
Odunayo Anthonia Taiwo
Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Chrisland University, Ajebo Abeokuta, Ogun-state
Iqrar Ahmad
Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
Harun Patel
Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
Adeola Osifeso
Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria
Adefuye Oluwafemi Olusegun
Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria
Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo
Phytomedicine, Molecular Toxicology, and Computational Biochemistry Research Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, 232101, Osun State, Nigeria; Corresponding authors.
Consumption of water polluted by crude oil is a major environmental problem typical in exploration areas. Numerous health complications such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, and other heart complications are prevalent and ravaging. These have gradually become age-defiling disease conditions that are usually maintained with lifestyle changes and diet control. The effect of dietary supplementation with 10% and 20% roasted cashew nuts (RCN) on systolic blood pressure and angiotensin converting enzyme I (ACE I) activities in mixed petroleum fraction (MPF) induced toxicity was studied in male Wistar rats through the modulation of the renin-angiotensin system. The phytochemicals in RCN were quantified using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. To predict likely binding affinity and stability, computational methods such as molecular docking, ADME, and molecular dynamic simulation were used. Out of the seven phytochemicals identified, rutin, gallic acid, and quercetin had the greatest quantities. Similarly, rutin had the highest binding affinities with ACE I, -10.7 kcal/mol, followed by quercetin, at -9.1 kcal/mol. During the molecular dynamics simulation, all of the identified phytochemicals demonstrated good pharmacokinetic capabilities and remained stable at their respective binding sites. Subsequent in vivo validation studies revealed that RCN was able to attenuate the effect of MPF by significantly (p < 0.05) lowering the systolic blood pressure and ACE I activity in comparison to the reference medication, atenolol. We recommend that cashew nuts be explored as dietary snacks as well as a low-cost, easily available component of supplements for the treatment of high blood pressure.
