Investigation of Hydrilla verticillata (Linn. f.) Royle in stress-induced vascular dysfunction in rats

Hydrilla verticillata (HV) (Linn. f.) Royle is credited for its property of being a rich source of vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. This experiment aimed to investigate the role of HV in stress-induced vascular dysfunction in rats. Chronic stress was induced in animals by stressors like the tilted cage, tail pinching, cage rotation, isolation, restrain condition, food deprivation, water deprivation, day-night reversal, and wet bedding. Treatment of HV extract was given daily by the intramuscular route for 28 days. After 28 days of stressor, parameters like body weight, behavior, and blood patterns were measured. The behavioral parameters were measured by test procedures like the elevated plus maze model, open field model, forced swim test (FST), and sucrose consumption test (SCT). Following the tests, blood was collected by retro-orbital route to check blood parameters like vitamin B12 levels, and homocysteine levels. The thoracic aorta of animals was isolated to record the acetylcholine- and peroxynitrite-induced relaxation of the thoracic aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine. At the end of the study, it was observed that treatment with HV has shown significant changes in stress responses on observed parameters. HV–treated groups showed escalated responses in elevated plus maze model, open field model, FST, and SCT compared to normal and stress control rats. The dose-response curve revealed more diminished vascular relaxation in stress control rats compared to therapy treated. Thus, it can be concluded that there is a significant reciprocating interrelationship present in HV and vascular dysfunction in chronic stress conditions.