DOI: 10.36347/SAJP.2019.v08i11.006

Pages: 502-507

Introduction: The British hypertension society defines hypertension as existing when blood pressure is above 140/90. Similar threshold has been published by the European society of hypertension and the WHO. Aim of the study: To investigate the effect of certain drugs and medicinal plants on induced hypertension in rabbits. Methods: Hypertension was induced in them with (2 mg/kg hydrocortisone i.m. +2ml hypertonic saline (5%) orally) 2 times per day for three successive days until their blood pressure became >130/ 90 mmhg. Rabbits were divided into 7 groups. The first group is a control one while the rest are test groups for the following: atenolol, furosemide, candesartan, the aqueous extract of Hibiscus subdariffa, Plantago major, Teucrium polium. Results: According to ANOVA test: The most significantly effective drug in lowering both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure was furosemide followed by candesartan, atenolol and Hibiscus subdariffa respectively. Concerning the blood flow, candesartan was found to be the most significantly effective drug in increasing blood flow followed by furosemide and Hibiscus subdariffa respectively. Concerning the urine output furosemide was found to be the most significantly effective drug in increasing urine output followed by Hibiscus subdariffa. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of hibiscus subdariffa is effective as antihypertensive agent at the concentration mentioned. While aqueous extracts of plantago major and teucrium polium are not effective as antihypertensive drugs at the concentrations mentioned.