Aims: The antihypertensive effect intravenous injection of Cronin has been observed in our previous study. In this study, the effect of intraperitoneal (ip) injection of Crocin on hypertension induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) with dose of 50 ng/kg was investigated in rats.
Materials & methods: In current excremental study, thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control (Cont), Ang II50, Losartan (Los) + Ang II, (Cro) 100 + Ang II and Cro200 + Ang II (n = 6 in each group). To induce hypertension, Ang II (50 ng/kg, i.v) was administered. Los (10 mg/kg, i.v) and Cro (100 and 200 mg/kg, ip) were administered 30 min before Ang II. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) after cannulation of the artery were continuously recorded by power lab system then,(Δ;difference before and after injection) were calculated and compared between the groups. Differences were considered significant when P< 0.05.
Findings: Ang II significantly increased SBP, MAP and decreased HR in several minutes (P<0.001). Losartan reduced these effects of angiotensin II. Pre-treatment with crocin (ip) significantly attenuated increased SBP and MAP induced by AngII (P<0.01) but it has not important effect on HR
Conclusion: Injection of crocin (ip) and it's effect on the AT1 receptor reduces hypertension induced by the dose of 50 ng/kg of Ang II, which is comparable to that of Losartan. Therefore, the cardiovascular effect of crocin probably is mediated by this receptor of AngII.