hypotensive effect of achillea wilhelmsii aqueous-ethanolic extract in rabbit

objective: for many years in herbal medicine the antihypertensive and lowering blood lipid properties of achillea wilhelmsii (a. wilhelmsii) have been suggested. in the present study the impacts of the plant extract on rabbit’s blood pressure and heart rate have been investigated. materials and methods: twelve nwz rabbits weighed 2-3 kg were randomly divided into two groups of 6 rabbits. the test group received a. wilhelmsii extract (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) and the control group received normal saline by jugular vein cannula. blood pressure and heart rate were measured via carotid cannula using pressure transducer connected to a power lab system. results: the blood pressure was significantly decreased (16.7± 1.4 mmhg) in 80 mg/kg dose of the extract (p<0.05). however, there were not any significant effects on heart rate in the other doses of the extract or normal saline. conclusion: the aqueous-ethanolic extract has blood pressure lowering property which may due to cardiac depressant and/or vasorelaxant effects.