Drying temperature affects the hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antihypertensive potential of calyx in rats induced with L-NAME.

The effects of different drying temperatures on the hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antihypertensive potential of calyx was evaluated. The calyx were dried under different temperature conditions (- 58 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C), and extracted with a solvent mixture of ethanol and water (1:4 % w/v). To induce hypertension, the rats were administered with 40 mg/kg body weight dose of N-nitro L-arginine methyl-ester (L-NAME), via the intra-gastric route. extract was administered orally, at varying doses (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) to the rats. Afterwards, the hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antihypertensive potentials of the extracts were evaluated using standard validated methods. Induction with L-NAME significantly (p < 0.05) increased the total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels, significantly decreased the HDL levels; significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of LPO/MDA, HO, and decreased GPx, and SOD activities; significantly (p < 0.05) increased the pressures (diastolic and systolic); significantly (p < 0.05) increased ACE and arginase activities, glucose level, and significantly decreased nitric oxide activity. Treatment with extract significantly (p < 0.05) reversed these trends in the hypertensive experimental rats. The hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antihypertensive properties of the extract from the calyx of , which varies with the drying temperatures of the calyx, portends its potential as a curative agent in the treatment of hypertensive conditions, and other cardiovascular diseases.