Clitoria ternatea L. extract prevents kidney damage by suppressing the Ang II/Nox4/oxidative stress cascade in l-NAME-induced hypertension model of rats.

[Display omitted] Clitoria ternatia L. (CT) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the effect of CT aqueous flower extract on blood pressure and renal alterations in N ^ω-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l -NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats received l -NAME in drinking water and were treated with CT flower extract or lisinopril. CT aqueous flower extract and lisinopril alleviated l -NAME-induced hypertension (p < 0.05). Glomerular extracellular matrix accumulation, renal fibrosis, and increased serum creatinine levels were observed in l -NAME-induced hypertensive rats and attenuated by CT flower extract or lisinopril co-treatment (p < 0.05). High levels of plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) and upregulated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (Nox4) protein expression in the kidneys induced by l -NAME were alleviated by CT flower extract or lisinopril co-treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, CT flower extract and lisinopril treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and elevated plasma and kidney malondialdehyde levels in l -NAME-induced hypertensive rats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, CT flower extract prevented l -NAME-induced renal injury and dysfunction in rats. The possible mechanism may be related to the suppression of Ang II-mediated Nox4 expression and the oxidative stress cascade in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]