The potential of volatile oil farnesol as a new treatment for hypertension and improvement of vascular function in hypertensive rats

Abstract

Farnesol, an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol derived from medicinal plants, presents possible antioxidant and vasodilator effects. This study thoroughly examines the preventive impact of farnesol on N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction in rats, investigating its potential cardioprotective effect. Initially, the acute hypotensive effects of farnesol were evaluated in normotensive rats through intravenous administration, with amlodipine, L-NAME, atropine, and indomethacin used to uncover potential mechanisms. Subsequent research focused on the therapeutic effects of orally administered farnesol on hypertension and vascular dysfunction induced by L-NAME over a 4-week period. Various parameters, including blood pressure, body weight, urine characteristics, oxidative stress markers, lipid profile, serum nitric oxide levels, and gene expression, were analyzed. Farnesol demonstrated hypotensive and diuretic effects in normotensive rats, potentially through calcium channels and the cyclooxygenase pathway. In hypertensive rats, farnesol, similar to captopril, effectively lowered blood pressure and restored various biomarkers, indicating its promising potential as an antihypertensive agent.