Exploring the vasolidatory benefits of Rosmarinic acid

In this study, researchers from different universities in Thailand evaluated the effects of acute and chronic rosmarinic acid treatment on blood pressure and skeletal muscle glucose transport in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats. Their findings were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Herbs that belong to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, such as rosemary, sage, basil and mint, contain rosmarinic acid (RA).
• According to previous studies, RA exhibits inhibitory effects against angiotensin-converting enzyme and functions as a vasodilator.
• Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a peptide hormone linked to hypertension and oxidative stress.
• Hypertension, meanwhile, is strongly related to insulin resistance.
• To determine the effects of RA treatment, the researchers used eight-week-old rats as test subjects.
• They divided the rats into SHAM and ANG II-infused (250 ng/kg/min) groups and gave some of the mice in the second group 10, 20 or 40?mg/kg RA.
• They then evaluated the mice’s body weight, liver and heart weights, oral glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle glucose transport activity and signaling proteins.
• The researchers reported that acute and chronic RA treatment decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in the rats.
• Only acute RA (40 mg/kg) treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose levels and induced skeletal muscle glucose transport.
• These effects appeared to be due to increased ERK activity in the skeletal muscles.
• Chronic RA treatment with 10, 20, and 40?mg/kg prevented ANG II-induced hyperglycemia.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that rosmarinic acid treatment is an effective alternative strategy for improving skeletal muscle glucose transport and protecting against ANG II-induced hypertension and hyperglycemia.

Read the full study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Prasannarong M, Saengsirisuwan V, Surapongchai J, Buniam J, Chukijrungroat N, Rattanavichit Y. ROSMARINIC ACID IMPROVES HYPERTENSION AND SKELETAL MUSCLE GLUCOSE TRANSPORT IN ANGIOTENSIN II-TREATED RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 08 July 2019;19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2579-4