Novel diallyldisulfide analogs ameliorate cardiovascular remodeling in rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension

Diallyldisulfide (DADS), an active principle of garlic (Allium sativum) is known for its antihypertensive properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of novel DADS analogs, against L-NAME induced hypertension in Wistar rats. The daily administration of L-NAME (50 mg/kg) for six weeks along with DADS analogs (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased the elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and also inhibited the decline in nitrite/nitrate (NOx) concentrations and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. Adverse changes such as lipid peroxidation, protein damage and a decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, were rectified after the administration of DADS analogs. Oral administration of DADS analogs preserved the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The ability of the DADS analogs to inhibit L-NAME induced hypertension was compared with Enalapril (15 mg/kg), which was taken as a standard. The DADS analogs prevented L-NAME-induced cardio toxicity, which was also reflected at the microscopic level indicative of its cardio protective effects. DADS analogs induced vasorelaxation was completely abolished by the removal of the endothelium or by pre-treatment with L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. DADS analogs inhibited the calcium influx induced by phenylephrine (0.3 μM) and high K+ (60 mM) and this effect was completely abolished by pretreatment of L-NAME. Taken together, our results show that the DADS analogs induce vasorelaxation and have antihypertensive properties, which may be mediated through activation of eNOS.