Seeds of moringa (Moringa oleifera) and mucuna (Mucuna pruriens L.) modulate biochemical indices of L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats: A comparative study

Abstract

Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Hypertension management often involves the use of pharmaceutical drugs, which can have adverse side effects. Hence, there is a growing interest in alternative therapies, such as herbal medicine, for the management of hypertension. This present study investigated the cardioprotective properties of moringa (Moringa oleifera) and mucuna (Mucuna pruriens L.) seeds at 5 and 10% dietary inclusions and also establish the most potent seed. The blood pressure of the rats were measured at the last day of treatment. Also, the heart acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities were determined, as well as the redox status of the rats. This study shows a reduction in blood pressure, AChE and MAO activities of hypertensive rats treated with the moringa and mucuna seeds. Furthermore, an increase in non-protein thiol (NP-SH) with a concomitant reduction in level of lipid peroxidation was also recorded. In addition, the mucuna seed is recorded to have a more cardioprotective property when compared with moringa seed. This study, therefore, revealed the mechanism of action of moringa seed and mucuna seed against l-NAME-induced hypertension or cardiotoxicity which could be linked to the antioxidant activity and modulation of AChE and MAO activities.

Keywords

• Functional foods
• Antihypertensive agent
• Cardioprotection
• Bioactive
• Seed