In Vitro Investigation of the Antihypertensive Effect of the Moss Rhodobryum Ontariense (kindb.) (kindb.)

The ability to modulate erythrocyte membrane fluidity, the capacity to release nitric oxide and the ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] cation scavenging activity including the total phenolic content screening of the moss Rhodobryum ontariense tea, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for hypertension and a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, were conducted in vitro in this study. This medicinal tea did not affect human erythrocyte membrane fluidity, did not contain reservoir of nitric oxide to be eliminated in blood and it showed low ABTS cation scavenging activity including meager content of total phenolic compounds. The obtained results excluded in a great extent some possible mechanisms of action of R. ontariense tea in relation to highlighted medical conditions.