Hypotensive Effect ofCrataegus oxyacantha

The hypotensive effect of the herb Crataegus oxyacantha was investigated in vivo using normal anaesthetised rats. An aqueous extract of Crataegus oxyacantha leaves was found to produce a significant decrease in the systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, but no effect was noticed on heart rate. The hypotensive effect was dose dependent and reversible with a median effective dose of 31 mg/kg. It seems that the hypotensive effect of Crataegus oxyacantha is not mediated via adrenergic, muscarinic or histaminergic receptors.