Sakuranetin as a Potential Regulator of Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Promoting Vasorelaxation through Calcium Channel Blockade

Abstract

Natural compounds, known for diverse pharmacological properties, have attracted attention as potential sources for hypertension treatment. Previous studies have revealed the hypotensive effect and vascular relaxation of prunetin, a natural compound derived from Prunus yedoensis. However, the potential blood pressure-lowering and vasorelaxant effects of sakuranetin, another representative compound found in plants belonging to the genus Prunus, have remained unexplored. We aimed to fill this gap by investigating the hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of sakuranetin in rats. Results indicated that sakuranetin, particularly in the sakuranetin 20 mg/kg group, led to significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by −14.53 ± 5.64% and −19.83 ± 6.56% at 4 h after administration. In the sakuranetin 50 mg/kg group, the SBP and DBP decreased by −13.27 ± 6.86% and −16.62 ± 10.01% at 2 h and by −21.61 ± 4.49% and −30.45 ± 5.21% at 4 h after administration. In addition, we identified the vasorelaxant effects of sakuranetin, attributing its mechanisms to the inhibition of calcium influx and the modulation of angiotensin II. Considering its hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects, sakuranetin could potentially serve as an antihypertensive agent. However, further research is required to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy.