Vasoprotective Effect of Pueraria mirifica on Ovariectomized Rabbits

Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw and Suvatabandhu, an indigenous herb possess estrogenic-like activity has been traditional used as rejuvenating folk medicine. Previous studies have shown that estrogen is vasoprotective in multiple animal models of vascular injury. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of P. mirifica on lipid profile, vascular function and pathological changes of aorta in ovariectomized rabbit model. 20 healthy female white rabbits were divided into four groups of five animals each. First group was the intact group and served as control. All the remaining groups were ovariectomized (Ovx). Group 2 was fed with distilled water and served as ovariectomized control. Group 3 and 4 were orally administered with 17 β-estradiol (4 mg/kg/day) and P. mirifica suspension (100 mg/kg/day), respectively. These results indicated that 17 β-estradiol and P. mirifica may restore endothelial dysfunction. Comparing with the control group, a loss of endothelial lining cell in nontreated ovariectomized rabbits was observed, whereas, 17 β-estradiol and P. mirifica restored endothelial cell structure. Taken together, these results indicate that phytoestrogens of P. mirifica, certainly possess protective effects on vascular function through prevention of endothelial cell damage, induced by ovariectomy.

Srichairat S¹, Auttapongpaiboon W², Kanchanapangka S³, Phivthong-ngam L⁴

¹Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University

²Interdepartment of Pharmacology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University

³Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University

⁴Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University

Keywords: Pueraria mirifica, aorta, l7 β-estradiol, ovariectomized rabbits

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