Methods: The current study was carried on 49 hypertensive rats divided into seven groups, including i) control; ii) L-NAME (10 mg/kg); iii) sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (50 μg/kg) plus L-NAME; iv and v) aqueous fraction of ZJ (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) plus L-NAME; vi) and vii) ethyl acetate fractions of ZJ (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) plus L-NAME. The rats were orally treated with both fractions for four weeks and received intravenous L-NAME on the 28th day. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) of the rats were recorded then maximal changes (Δ) of MAP, SBP and HR were calculated and compared with changes of control and L-NAME.

Results: According to the obtained results of the present study, it was shown that the administration of L-NAME significantly increased ΔMAP, ΔSBP and ΔHR, and these effects were significantly attenuated by administration of SNP. The pre-treatment with both doses (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) of aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions could significantly reduce cardiovascular responses induced by L-NAME that comparable with SNP. However, a lower dose of aqueous fractions and higher dose of ethyl acetate fractions were reported with stronger effects.

Methods: In the experimental study, the rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats in each and fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks as follows: One group (normal diet group) was fed with a standard diet, one group was fed with HFD, and two groups were fed with HFD and orally fed with 150 and 450 mg/kg/day HAEM. The serum samples and liver tissues were used for measuring the biochemical and oxidative parameters and histopathological studies. HFD induced hepatosteatosis in rats as evidenced by the altered liver enzymes activity, serum lipid profile and oxidative status.

Results: Serum lipid profile (triglyceride, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein) in rats fed with HFD + HAEM (150 and 450 mg/kg/day) was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the evaluation of oxidative stress showed a reduction of the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and an increase in ferric-reducing anti-oxidant power. Meanwhile, liver enzyme activities declined in response to HAEM.