Potassium channels and prostacyclin contribute to vasorelaxant activities of Tridax procumbens crude aqueous leaf extract in rat superior mesenteric arteries

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown that aqueous extract of the leaf of Tridax procumbens is capable of lowering blood pressure through its vasodilatory effects. In the present study attempt was made to examine the biological active components of T. procumbens leaf using GC-MS methods. We further investigated the role of K+ channels in the vasorelaxation effects of Tridax procumbens using rat isolated mesenteric artery. Methods: The superior mesenteric artery isolated from healthy, young adult Wistar rats (250-300g) were pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE) (10' 7M) and potassium chloride (KC1) (60mM) and were treated with various concentrations of aqueous extract of T. procumbens (0.5- 9.0mg/ml). The changes in arterial tension were recorded using a force - displacement transducer (Model 7004; Ugo Basil Varese, Italy) coupled to data capsule acquisition system