Comparative effects of horseradish (Moringa oleifera) leaves and seeds on blood pressure and crucial enzymes relevant to hypertension in rat

Horseradish (Moringa oleifera) is consumed as a vegetable and used for medicinal purposes. The effects of horseradish (Moringa oleifera) leaves and seeds on blood pressure measurement, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and critical enzymes [angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), arginase, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5)] relevant to hypertension in vivo were determined. Hypertensive rats (HYP) were placed on dietary regimen containing 2% and 4% horseradish leaves and seeds. The result revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of HYP fed horseradish leaves and seeds supplemented diets when compared to the elevated levels of HYP. Furthermore, there were significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the activities of arginase, AChE, PDE-5 and ACE of HYP fed horseradish seeds and leaves supplemented diets when compared to HYP. In addition, HYP fed horseradish seeds and leaves supplemented diet had significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant effect when compared to HYP. Thus, the observed salutary effects of the seeds and leaves could be part of the possible biochemical mechanisms behind their folkloric use as antihypertensive plants. However, horseradish leaves showed higher antihypertensive effects than the seeds.