DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajp.2024.v13i09.003

Pages: 391-399

The leaves of Senna alata (L.) ROXB (Caesalpiniaceae) are used in traditional African medicine mainly to treat arterial hypertension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypotensive effects of an aqueous extract of leaves of Senna alata on arterial hypertension in rabbits. A qualitative phytochemical study was conducted to determine the various secondary compounds contained in this extract. Using a Ludwig manometer, consisting of a U-shaped tube containing mercury surmounted by a writing stylus, the blood pressure of rabbits was recorded on smoked paper wound around a cylinder rotating at constant speed. The doses of test substances are administered to the rabbits via its exposed saphenous vein. At doses ranging from 10 to 25 mg/kg wb, aqueous extract of Senna alata leaves (EAqSa) induced a dose-dependent hypotension comparable to that of acetylcholine. The inhibition of this hypotension in the presence of doses of atropine, an antagonist of muscarinic cholinomimetic substances, of between 10-6 and 10-3mg/kg bw suggests that EAqSa contains muscarinic cholinomimetic substances. These substances would be responsible for its hypotensive effect and could be alkaloids and/or flavonoids found in this extract. These results support the use of Senna alata in the treatment of hypertension in traditional medicine.