Evaluation of Cardiovascular Effects of Carvacrol in a D-(+)-Galactose-Induced aging Model

Aim: To evaluate the cardiovascular effect of carvacrol treatment in a D(+)galactose accelerated aging model, investigating effects on vascular reactivity, oxidative stress, and systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Methodology: Eight-week-old male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used for oral treatment for eight weeks. Organ baths were used for vascular reactivity studies (FEN, ACh, and NPS), fluorescence microscopy to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS, using DHE probe), and Tail-Cuff for systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements. Non-linear regression was used to create the concentration-response curves. Emax denotes the tissue's maximum response.

Results: The aged rats showed a significant increase in fluorescence intensity by the DHE probe compared to the CTL group (CTL=100 ± 3.6%, n=5 and Dgal=167.7 ± 7.9%, n=5, respectively). However, the levels of ROS in the carvacrol-treated groups were significantly attenuated in the Dgal+C50 (138.8 ± 4.5%, n=5) and Dgal+C100 (130.0 ± 5.5%, n=5) groups. The animals of the Dgal group presented hypertension through the significant increase in SBP compared to the CTL group (CTL=135.9 ± 3.9 mmHg, n=6, Dgal=170.9 ± 2.0 mmHg, n=9, respectively). The increased SBP of Dgal rats could be reversed by treatment with carvacrol (Dgal+C50=137.9 ± 2.7 mmHg, n=5, and Dgal+C100=124.6 ± 8.2 mmHg, n=5, respectively. On the other hand, carvacrol was unable to restore the ACh-induced vasorelaxation effect found in CTL (Emax=100.0 ± 3.9%), Dgal (Emax=84.9 ± 4.4%), Dgal+C50 (Emax=84.9 ± 4.4%) and Dgal+C100 (Emax=82.1 ± 6.2 %).

Conclusion: Carvacrol shows protective antioxidant effects capable of reducing SBP in aged animals, being an important tool in promoting healthy aging.