Antihypertensive effect of few-flower wild rice (Zizania latifolia Turcz.) in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The antihypertensive activity of few-flower wild rice was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with evaluation of blood pressure lowering effects and transcriptional levels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) gene that is regulated by Angiotensin II (Ang II). SHRs were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 rats each. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) reached the lowest point 3 h after administration of a single dose of paste made from few-flower wild rice stem powder. The SBP of SHR in the relatively high amount of RSP (HRSP) administrated group was reduced by approximately 30 mmHg, compared to the negative control group, and was not significantly different from the positive control IPP control group at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg body weight (p > 0.05). RSP administrated SHRs showed a significantly higher SERCA2a transcription level than negative control SHRs (p < 0.05). RSP administration had no negative effects on glycometabolism of SHR.