Astragaloside IV Mitigates Pregnancy Induced Hypertension in Rats and the Possible Mechanism

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of astragaloside IV (AsIV) in treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and explore the possible mechanism. Thirty-six pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model and AsIV groups, 12 rats in each group. The PIH model was established in model and AsIV groups. The AsIV group was treated with 20 mg/kg AsIV for 4 days. After treatment, compared with model group, in AsIV group the caudal artery pressure and 24 h urine protein level were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the serum superoxide dismutase level was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the serum malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin 6 levels were significantly decreased, the placental tissue placental growth factor (PLGF) protein expression level was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the placental tissue soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1) protein expression level was significantly increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, AsIV has therapeutic effect on PIH in rats. The mechanism may be related to its reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response and regulating PLGF and sFlt-1 expressions.