Abstract

Background:
Elaeis guineensis is a plant of the Arecaceae family that is used in traditional medicine in Senegal to treat high blood pressure. However, to our knowledge, there is no scientific evidence supporting its ability to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Aim:
The objective of this study was to provide a scientific basis for the use of this plant as a remedy for high blood pressure in traditional medicine.

Methods:
We in vitro evaluated the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant capacity of a methanolic fraction of E. guineensis leaf powder (MSEG01). To achieve this, rings of pig coronary arteries with and without endothelium are mounted in isolated organ chambers. After stabilization for approximately 1 hour, the rings were precontracted with U46619 and then exposed to a range of increasing concentrations of MSEG01 ranging from 1 to 100 μg/ml. For some experiments, the rings were incubated with different inhibitors (L-NA, INDOMETHACIN, TRAM-34 +UCL) to determine the cell signaling pathways involved in MSEG01-induced relaxation.

Results:
The results showed that MSEG01 causes relaxation in a model of coronary arteries in pigs previously contracted with U46619. For rings with endothelium, a relaxation start was noted at 3 μg/ml, and the maximum relaxation (90%) was obtained at 100 μg/ml. Without endothelium, MSEG01 does not induce relaxation.

Conclusion:
This study explains the use of E. guineensis for the management and prevention of high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications in traditional medicine in Senegal. However, additional research is needed to ensure its safety for human health.

Key words: Elaeis guineensis, Vasorelaxant effects, Porcine coronary