Hemodynamic and Antioxidant Effects of Gelatin-encapsulated Peptide from African Oil Bean Seeds in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats.

Abstract

Hypertension has been a major global health problem, often linked to oxidative stress and impaired vascular function. This study investigated the hemodynamicandantioxidant effects of gelatin-encapsulated peptidesfrom African oil bean (AOB) (Pentaclethra macrophylla) seeds in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. African oil bean seeds were sorted, cooked, and turned into a fermented condiment. Thereafter, thecondiment was dried, soluble peptidesextracted, and the resulting solution was lyophilized and subsequently encapsulated. Adult male Wistar rats were grouped randomly into five groups: 1 (normal control group), 2 (hypertensive induced group), 3 (hypertensive + lisinopril 10mg/kg b.wt), 4, and 5 (hypertensive + 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg dose/b.wt, respectively). N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME) and treatment were administered orally via gavage concurrently to all animals for 10 days. The blood pressure was measuredusing tail-cuff plethysmography. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the plasma enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were determined. The results showed that L-NAME administration significantly (p< 0.05) elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), ROS and TBARS levels were also significantly increased, while GSH, GST, total thiol, GPx, SOD, and catalase levels were reduced. Treatment with gelatin-encapsulated peptide from AOB significantly (p< 0.05) normalized the blood pressure and restored antioxidant status. These findings suggest that gelatin-encapsulated peptide from AOB possesses antihypertensive effects and enhances the body's antioxidant defense mechanism. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of African oil bean-derived bioactive peptides as natural, functional agents for hypertension management and cardiovascular protection.