Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ginger on Cardiac Parameters in Male Rats with Renovascular Hypertension

Introduction: High blood pressure is one of the most important concerns of the healthcare system, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of the hydromethanolic extract of ginger on cardiac parameters in male rats with renovascular hypertension. Method: A total of 54 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: control, hypertensive group, hypertensive group (hydromethanolic extract of ginger with a dose of 100 mg/kg), hypertensive group (hydromethanolic extract of ginger with a dose of 200 mg/kg), hypertensive group (hydromethanolic extract of ginger with a dose of 300 mg/kg), and surgical group receiving hydromethanolic extract of ginger with a dose of 200 mg/kg. Rats were gavaged for 42 days, once every day, using hydromethanol extract of ginger. Afterward, the heart rate was measured every 7 days. Ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac index were evaluated by SPSS-16 at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of the study showed that the hydroethanolic extract of ginger caused a significant decrease in heart rate in the group without induced blood pressure receiving ginger extract (dose of 200 mg/kg) and in the induced blood pressure group gavaged ginger at a dose of 200 mg/kg. It was also found that there was a significant difference between the average EF in the studied groups; however, the cardiac index had no significant difference in the studied groups. Conclusion: Hydroethanolic extract of ginger can reduce heart rate in hypertensive models and have a significant effect on cardiac output. Since ginger has no effect on cardiac index, studies with a longer duration of treatment are needed in this case, nevertheless, it can have a significant effect on ejection fraction