Hypotensive Activity of Residue From "Gebto Arekei", Locally Distilled Medicinal Spirit From a Brew Containing Lupinus Albus Seeds in Normotensive Guinea pigs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The plant Lupinus albus, the source of the seed component of the brew, is a short hairy legume known for its traditional medicinal value in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of the study was o see the blood pressure reducing effect of the residue from "Gibto Arekei" in the alternative normotensive laboratory animal model and thereby consolidate the finding of the study.

METHODS: The was conducted between Oct. 2000 and January 2001. In this experiment, male guinea pigs were used. Blood pressure was recorded invasively by direct cannulation method using surgical procedures involving the right common carotid artery. Thereafter, the effect of "Gebto Arekei" on blood pressure was investigated.

RESULTS: Residue from "Gebto Arekei" when administered at doses of 2 - 200 mg/kg body weight caused a dose-dependent decrease of blood pressure in anesthetized normotensive guinea-pigs (n=6).The fall in blood pressure had an acute and sustained phases. During the sustained phase which had slow recovery period, the residue at doses of 2 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight decreased the systolic pressure by 12.69%, 20.42% (p<0.005) and 39.45% (p<0.0005) whereas, diastolic pressure was reduced by 15.14%, 29.34% (p<0.005) and 47.16% (p<0.005), respectively. The mean blood pressure was reduced by 11.72%, 26.22% (p<0.005) and 43.59% (p<0.0005), respectively. The calculated ED _so for the mean blood pressure was 14.86 mg/kg. The duration of action for each of the dose infused was 3.1±1.28 min, 13.16±2.03 min and 21.33±1.89 min, respectively. The pulse pressure was not significantly affected even after infusion with 200 mg/kg.