Experimental study on the hypotensive effect of Ephedra root extracts on the spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE To observe the hypotensive effect of the Ephedraroot extracts-epiafzelechin,ephedrannin,stigmas-terol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and ethyl caprylate on the spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR).METHODS The rats were divided into 6groups at random,as follows:blank contrast group,positive drug contrast group(Fufang Luobuma tablet),epiafz-elechin group,ephedrannin group,stigmasterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside group and ethyl caprylate group.The data of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure were examined after the rats were given defferent drugs.RESULTS The rats'blood pressure da-ta of the epiafzelechin group and ephedrannin group showed statistically significant difference compared with the blank contrast group.And there were no significant difference between the epiafzelechin group and the positive contrast group,that is,Epiafz-elechin's hypotensive effect were correspondent with positive drug on SHR.The diastolic pressure data of ephedrannin group had no significant difference while systolic pressure data were significantly different to those of positive contrast group,that is,the effect on the rat's diastolic pressure of ephedrannin were correspondent with positive drug while its effect on the rat's systolic pressure was stronger than the positive drug.CONCLUSION Ephedra root extracts-epiafzelechin and ephedrannin,which have significantly hypotensive effect,both are hypotensive active ingredients on SHR.