Vasorelaxant effect of aerial part of Marrubium vulgare in aorta of male

Introduction: Considering the higher incidence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders in diabetes mellitus and the role of vasorelaxation disturbance in the development of these complications, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two-month oral administration of Marrubium vulgare (MV) on the vasorelaxation response of isolated aorta in experimental model of diabetes mellitus in rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, MV-treated control, diabetic, and MV-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozotcin (STZ) was intraperitoneally administered (60mg/kg). MV-treated groups received MV mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1/15. After 2 months, relaxation response of KCI-and noradrenaline-precontracted aortic rings was determined after addition of acetylcholine using isolated tissue setup. Results: Comparing to one week before test serum glucose level showed a significant increase in diabetic group at 4th and 8th weeks (P<0.001), while this increase was not observed in MV-treated diabetic group. In addition, the latter group showed a higher vasorelaxation in KCI-and noradrenaline-precontracted rings (P<0.05) as compared to diabetic group. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between control and MV-treated control groups regarding relaxation response. Conclusion: It can be concluded that oral administration of MV for 2 months could improve the vasorelaxation response of the vascular system and this may prevent the development of hypertension in diabetic rats.