Hypotensive effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from Jacaranda mimosaefolia leaves in rats

Hypothermic and cardiovascular activities of the methanol extract of Jacaranda mimosaefolia leaves were tested. To evaluate the hypotensive properties. anesthetized rats were used and temperature, blood pressure, and cardiac frequency were recorded. In addition, the in vitro effect produced by the extract on induced contraction with norepinephrine (NE) in rat aorta rings was evaluated. The extract produced a significant hypothermic effect with a maximum at 2 It, an effect which was accompanied by hypotension and low cardiac frequency, physiological conditions that were again re-established to the following 2 h. In isolated aorta preparations norepinephrine antagonistic effect was not correlated with the presence of Ca2+ pD(2) for NE was modified by the extract, an effect that could explain a blockade of the adrenergic receptors. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.