Abstract

Background: Across the globe, about 26% of the world’s populace suffers from hypertension, and it is projected that this figure will rise to 29% by 2025. This increase is primarily attributed to the growing incidence in economically developing countries. The elevated prevalence of hypertension imposes a significant public health burden on a global scale, especially in developing nations such as Uganda. The current study assessed the effects of aqueous root extract of Citropsis articulata on mean arterial blood pressure and serum levels of electrolytes (sodium, potassium & calcium) in Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt-induced hypertensive male Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were employed and put into six groups (n = 4). Group I had no hypertension induced and these were given standard feed only. Hypertension was induced using Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt and 1ml of sodium chloride (NaCl) in drinking water for groups II, III, IV, V & VI. Groups III, IV & V were orally administered with aqueous root extract of Citropsis articulata at doses of 200, 400, 600 mg/kg respectively while group VI was treated with Propranolol at 1mg/kg. Blood pressure was measured using a power lab non-invasive blood pressure machine while serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium) were measured using the Ion selective electrode method.

Results: The aqueous root extract of Citropsis articulata significantly reduced the mean arterial blood pressure and serum sodium levels but did not have a significant effect on serum potassium and calcium levels.

Conclusion: The study showed that the aqueous root extract of Citropsis articulate reduced the mean arterial pressure and serum sodium levels in DOCA-induced hypertensive male Wistar rats.