The Involvement of Medullary Reticular Formation in the Hypotensive Effect of Extracts from Seeds of Cassia Tora

Abstract

In pentobarbital anesthezied rats, the medial portion of the medullary reticular formulation has been identified to be directly involved in the hypotensive effect of extracts from the seeds of Cassia tora. This conclusion was drawn from the observed decrease in arterial blood pressure following local injection of extracts of this herb into this reticular site and from its inability to promote hypotension when the same reticular site has been electrolytically lesioned. The role of the medullary reticular formation in the Cassia tora-induced hypotension was suggested to be one which modulates the basic cardiovascular reflexes, favoring a decrease in vasomotor tone.