Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of
ethanol extract of kucai bulbs on serum nitric oxide (NO) levels
in rats, in an attempt to study the mechanism of antihypertensive action.
The measurement of NO level was conducted by Griess colorimetric assay.
The male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups; the first
group was treated with kucai extract of 100 mg kg-1
body weight (kucai-treated group); the second group with isosorbide
dinitrate (ISDN) of 0.18 mg kg-1 body weight (ISDN-treated
group) and the third group with vehicle only (control group). The results
showed that at 30 min (T30) the mean NO level in kucai-treated
group increased significantly (138.69 ± 169.38%) compared to baseline
(T0); similarly, in ISDN-treated group, the mean NO level increased
(212.08 ± 140.01%) significantly. At T90, average NO
levels in kucai-treated group was significantly higher than those
in control group (p = 0.018), while those in ISDN-treated group were not
significantly higher than those in control group (p = 0.436). Compared
to kucai-treated group, NO levels in ISDN-treated group at T90
was significantly different (p = 0.028). From this study it can be concluded
that ethanol extract of kucai bulbs increased significantly serum
NO level in experimental rats. Therefore, it is preassumed that antihypertensive
effect shown by kucai is, one of which, due to mechanism of vasodilator
action. The present results showed that kucai increased NO levels
and this might be one mechanism of blood pressure lowering action of kucai. |