Effects of prune extract on blood pressure elevation in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. Prunes are recognized as a health food. They contain large amounts of phenolics and show high anti-oxidant activity. In this study, both hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion were scavenged by prune extract in electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis. 2. In angiotensin II challenged vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was decreased in caffeic acid-treated cells compared with the control. 3. After 5 weeks of prune extract treatment, the elevation of blood pressure in the prune extract-treated SHRSP was suppressed in comparison with the control group. 4. Our findings suggest that prune extract may contribute to the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.