DOSE DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF CAFFEIC ACID PHENETHYL ESTER ON HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN RATS

Aim: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is one of the major components of honeybee propolis and its structure is similar to flavonoids. The molecular mechanisms of the effects of CAPE on various systems including cardiovascular system have not been known well. The aim of the present study was to investigate the short term dose dependent in vivo cardiovascular effects including heart rate and blood pressure changes induced by CAPE in Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: The rats were anaesthetized and randomly divided into six groups (n: 6 rats) as follows: the first two groups of rats were injected 0.9% NaCl or 10% alcohol; the other groups were injected 1 mg kg(-1), 5 mg kg(-1) 10 mg kg(-1) or 20 mg kg(-1) CAPE i.v. Results: CAPE injection caused decrease in mean blood pressure (MBP) up to 20 sec. for 1 mg CAPE group and up to 2 min for 5 and 10 mg CAPE groups. On the other hand, heart rate (HR) was found to be decreased up to 10 min. for 10 mg CAPE group Conclusion: CAPE causes decrease in both HR and MBP and may affect conduction velocity and contractility in heart due to possible effects on neuronal transmission.