Antihypertensive Effects of Roselle-Olive Combination in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of a new combination therapy of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Olea europaea extracts (2 : 1; Roselle-Olive), using N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester- (L-NAME-) induced hypertensive model. Rats received L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. Concurrent treatment with Roselle-Olive (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reversed the L-NAME-induced suppression in serum nitric oxide (NO), and improved liver and kidney markers, lipid profile, and oxidative status. Furthermore, Roselle-Olive significantly lowered the elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACE) and showed a marked genoprotective effect against oxidative DNA damage in hypertensive rats. Roselle-Olive ameliorated kidney and heart lesions and reduced aortic media thickness. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry showed an enhanced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and protein expression in both heart and kidney of Roselle-Olive-treated rats. To conclude, our data revealed that Roselle-Olive is an effective combination in which H. sabdariffa and O. europaea synergistically act to control hypertension. These effects are likely to be mediated by antioxidant and genoprotective actions, ACE inhibition, and eNOS upregulation by Roselle-Olive constituents. These findings provide evidences that Roselle-Olive combination affords efficient antihypertensive effect with a broad end-organ protective influence.


Introduction
Hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which the arterial blood pressure (BP) is elevated. It is a well-defined risk factor for many diseases such as coronary heart diseases, atherosclerosis, and stroke [1], in addition to kidney and cerebrovascular complications [2]. In the last decades, hypertension becomes one of the most common preventable causes of premature mortality worldwide. It is estimated to affect approximately 1 billion individuals, according to WHO [3], and contributes to about 12.8% of all annual deaths worldwide [4].
Modern medicine provides many classes of antihypertensive drugs. Nevertheless, target blood pressures are achieved in only a minority of patients in clinical practice. Limited efficacy of monotherapy to control hypertension especially in a patient with complications like diabetes mellitus, poor patient adherence to drug therapy, and occurrence of side effects are among the main reasons [5]. Therefore, people in the developing countries have been opted for herbal remedy as considerable alternatives to bridge the efficacy and therapeutic costs for the control of hypertension and its complications. Moreover, the lesser side effects and better tolerability direct the global attention towards the search for new drugs from natural sources [6].
Many of the naturally occurring medicinal plants have been reported for their hypotensive or antihypertensive effects [7]. However, more studies need to be done to elucidate the safety profile, to verify the effectiveness, and to explore the mechanisms of such herbal remedies. Hibiscus subdariffa L. (HS) is a bast fiber crop with edible calyx belonging to the family Malvaceae [8]. It is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical areas for myriads of uses. Depending on geographical region, there are various vernacular names for HS as Karkadeh (Arabic), Roselle (English), Oseille de Guinée (French), and Bissap (Senegal) [8]. HS tea is used across the world as a hot drink or a nonalcoholic beverage and for a variety of health benefits [9]. Ethnomedicinal studies have valued roselle calyx extract for its pharmacological properties including hepatoprotective [10], nephroprotective [11], antioxidant [12], antihypertensive [13], antianaemic [14], antidiabetic [15], and diuretic [16]. Olea europaea L. (OE) or Olive, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is a small tree native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Olive fruit is commercially important in the Mediterranean region as a prime source of olive oil [17]. In traditional medicine, olive leaves have been used for the treatment of atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, wounds, and as diuretic [18]. The antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering actions of olive leaves and its active substance, oleuropein, are well-documented [19,20].
By the fact that hypertension possesses a multifactorial nature, combination therapy, using antihypertensive agents with various targets and/or mechanisms, may be theoretically favored. To date, relatively few studies have been done on natural antihypertensive remedy combinations. Although the antihypertensive effects of HS or OE have been reported individually [21,22], their combination has not been studied yet. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine a combination of H. sabdariffa and O. europaea (Roselle-Olive) (2 : 1) against L-NAME-induced hypertension and to investigate whether "Roselle-Olive combination" would have synergistic antihypertensive potential to alleviate abnormalities in blood pressure, vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress, and end-organ damage in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats and further to explore some aspects of its mechanism of action. Our hypothesis is that Roselle-Olive combination will integrate different mechanisms against hypertension. H. sabdariffa blocks the renin angiotensin pathway, and O. europaea fosters NO release and ROS inhibition; hence, augmented actions could be obtained. Besides, combining HS and OE therapies in Roselle-Olive could improve the cardiovascular outcomes with less dose of individual component, thus reducing any undesirable effects that may occur.

Materials and Methods
2.1. Chemicals and Reagents. L-NAME was purchased from Sigma Aldrich (Germany). RNA extraction kit and QuantiFast SYBR Green PCR kit were obtained from Qiagen (Hilden, Germany). Reverse transcription system was obtained from Thermo Scientific (Meridian Rd, Rockford, IL, USA). The chemicals 5,5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), dihydrogen phosphate, trichloroacetic acid, thiobarbituric acid, and all other chemicals used in the experiment were of analytical grade and purchased from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO, USA).

Preparation and Characterization of Roselle-Olive
Combination. Roselle-Olive combination consists of 226 mg hydro alcoholic powdered extract from calyxes of Hibiscus sabdariffa and 113 mg hydro alcoholic powdered extract from leaves of Olea europaea as active ingredients. One milligram of Aerosil® 200 (inactive ingredient) was used as glidant. The extracts were obtained from Active Ingredients Company Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Animals.
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-175 g) were used. All animals were housed under constant temperature and 12 h light/dark cycle. They were fed with standard chow diet. All animal procedures were performed in accordance with the recommendations of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guide for care and use of laboratory animals (Publication number 85-23, revised 1985). Besides, the animals were treated according to the national guidelines stated by the ethical committee of the National Research Centre (NRC) and all experimental procedures were done according to the protocol approved by it. The experimental endpoint of this study was set when the scientific aims and objectives have been reached. During the experimental study, we ensured that pain and distress were minimized or relieved. At the end of the study, euthanasia or humane killing of rats was done by methods that induce rapid unconsciousness and death without pain or distress.

Single-Dose Toxicity of Roselle-Olive Combination.
According to OECD guidelines (number 423), before conducting the toxicity experiment, the test substance, at doses that are recognized to result in marked pain or distress due to severely irritant properties, may need not to be administered. Moribund animals or animals clearly in pain or showing signs of enduring distress shall be humanely killed and are considered in the interpretation of the test results in the same way as animals that died on the test. Criteria for making the decision to kill moribund or severely suffering animals and guidance on the recognition of predictable or impending death are the subject of the guidance document on the recognition, assessment, and use of clinical signs as humane endpoints for experimental animals used in safety evaluation.
In this study, twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-175 g), housed in polypropylene cages, were randomly allocated into two groups: the 1st group was kept as control and received DW orally and the 2nd group received an oral dose of freshly prepared 20% aqueous suspension of Roselle-Olive (5000 mg/kg). Treatment-related mortality or signs of toxicity were observed at day one at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h from dosing then daily to day 14. The body weights of all animals were recorded daily. It can be concluded that administration of Roselle-Olive combination up to 5000 mg/kg could be considered safe. No mortality or morbidity was detected under the current experimental conditions. According to OECD guidelines, oral LD 50 which is higher than 5000 mg/kg is considered to be safe. Roselle-Olive combination could be considered with a wide margin of safety for oral use. Since toxicity in humans cannot always be entirely extrapolated from animal studies, clinical evaluation should be performed to precisely define the safe dosage to advice in humans. For pharmacological studies, three doses were selected. One was a safe dose (1/10th of maximum tested safe dose = 500 mg/kg); the 2nd and the 3rd doses were lower than the safe dose (250 and 125 mg/kg).
2.6. Blood Pressure Recording. BP (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate of conscious rats were measured at the start of the experiment and each week. Animals were restrained in the tubes for 10-20 min/day for 5 days prior to recording BP in the tail-cuff technique, and the animals were warmed for 30 min at 28°C in a thermostatically controlled heating cabinet (Ugo Basille, Italy) for better detection of tail artery pulse, where the tail was passed through a cuff and a tail-cuff sensor that was connected to an amplifier (ML 125 NIBP, AD Instruments, Australia). The amplified pulse was recorded during automatic inflation and deflation of the cuff. The mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was calculated [24] using the following formula: MAP = DBP + 0 412 SBP − DBP 2.7. Electrocardiography (ECG). Rats were anesthetized by i.p. injection of 45 mg/kg thiopental [25]. ECG of rats was recorded for 1 min using ECG Powerlab module which consists of Powerlab/8sp and Animal Bio-Amplifier, in addition to Lab Chart 7 software for ECG analyzer.
2.8. Sampling. Twenty four hours after the last injection, animals were anesthetized with ethyl ether. Blood samples were collected by retro-orbital puncture and centrifuged at 4000 rpm/10 min to separate serum for measurement of biochemical indices. Afterward, all animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under ethyl ether anesthesia for humane reasons; the whole liver, kidney, and heart were immediately removed, rinsed in ice-cold normal saline, and kept at −80°C until further analyses. Parts of kidney and the heart tissues were placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examination.
2.8.1. Biochemical Analyses. Serum samples were used to measure liver markers: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) according to the method of Reitman and Frankel [26], and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) according to Szasz,[27], and kidney markers: urea and creatinine according to the method of Wills and Savory [28] and Kroll et al. [29], respectively. Also, LPO expressed as MDA [30], NO (nitrate and nitrite, the end products of NO metabolism) [31], and reduced glutathione (GSH) [32] was estimated. ACE activity was measured using commercial ELISA kits. Lipid profile including total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was estimated by standard commercial kits (BioDiagnostics, Egypt). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated by using Friedewald formula [33].
2.8.2. Histopathological Examination. The kidneys, heart, and segment from thoracic aorta of the different groups were fixed and processed for obtaining 4 μm paraffin embedding sections. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and MT stain for assessment of fibrosis [34]. The histopathological evaluations of the glomeruli, tubules, and interstitial tissue of the kidney were performed according to Duarte et al. [35], using a scale of 0 to 4 as follows: 0 normal; 1 mild; 2 moderate; 3 severe; and 4 very severe.
The histopathological lesion scoring of the myocardium was performed according to Kanda et al. [36], using a scale from 0 to 4 as follows: 0 normal; 1 mild; 2 moderate; 3 severe; and 4 very severe. The percentage of the myocardial fibrosis (%) was performed as the mean of 10 fields/slide using Leica Qwin 500 Image Analyzer (Leica, Cambridge, England). The aorta tunica media thickness (from the internal to the external elastic lamellae) was measured in five sections of the thoracic aorta obtained from each group.
2.8.3. Immunohistochemical Analysis. The immunohistochemical analysis of the kidney, heart, and aorta was done according to the methods described by Ogaly et al. [37]. The tissue sections were deparaffinized, rehydrated, and pretreated with 10 mM citrate buffer for antigenic retrieval. Sections were incubated for two hours at 4°C in a humidified chamber with one of the following primary antibodies: rabbit polyclonal anti-eNOS antibody diluted at 1 : 50 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA) and the monoclonal anti-iNOS antibody diluted at 1 : 25 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA). The tissue sections were incubated with a biotinylated goat anti rabbit and mouse antibody (Thermo Scientific, USA), streptavidin peroxidase (Thermo Scientific, USA), and 3,3 ′diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB, Sigma). The slides were counterstained with Mayer's hematoxylin then dehydrated and mounted. Primary antibodies were replaced by PBS for negative controls. The stained sections were analyzed by Leica Qwin 500 Image Analyzer (Leica, Cambridge, England). In each field, the immunopositive area (dark brown) was recorded. Percentage of the positive stained area (%) was calculated as the mean of 10 fields/slide.

Gene Expression Analysis by Quantitative Real-Time
PCR. Gene expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR was performed according to the method of Livak and Schmittgen [38]. In brief, total RNA was purified from 100 mg of tissue samples (the kidney and heart) using Qiagen RNeasy Mini kit following the manufacturer's protocol. Purity of the isolated RNA was detected spectrophotometrically (Thermo Scientific, USA). The purified RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA and used for PCR with primers specific for eNOS and iNOS (Table 1). mRNA expression levels of the target genes were assessed using real-time PCR standardized by coamplification with GAPDH as a housekeeping gene, which served as an internal control. Real-time PCR was done in Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt. cDNA was added to a SYBR Green qPCR Master Mix (Qiagen) containing 30 pg/ml of each primer. The cDNA was amplified by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 15 s, annealing at 60°C for 15 s, and extension at 72°C for 45 s. During the first cycle, the 95°C step was extended to 1 min. The GAPDH gene was amplified in the same reaction to serve as the reference gene.
2.8.5. DNA Damage Assessment by Comet Assay. Apoptotic changes in the heart and kidney were assessed using Comet assay. Comet assay was performed as described in [37]. Briefly, 100 mg of crushed kidney and heart samples was suspended in 1 ml ice-cold PBS, stirred for 5 min, and filtered. 100 μl of cell suspension was thoroughly mixed with 600 μl of low-melting agarose, followed by spreading of 100 μl of the mixture on agarose precoated slides. The slides were left to solidify at 4°C, and then they were immersed in chilled lysing solution for 1 h at 4°C. The slides were removed and placed in a horizontal electrophoresis chamber, filled with freshly prepared electrophoretic alkaline buffer for 20 min. After electrophoresis, the slides were washed gently in 0.4 M Tris-HCl buffer and stained with ethidium bromide. The DNA migration patterns of 100 cells for each sample were observed using fluorescence microscope, and images were captured by a Nikon CCD camera. The qualitative and quantitative extent of DNA damage in the cells was estimated using the Comet 5 image analysis software developed by Kinetic Imaging Ltd. (Liverpool, UK).
2.9. Statistical Analysis. All results are expressed as means ± SE. Multiple group comparisons were performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by LSD test. Difference was considered significant when p < 0 05. GraphPad prism® software (version 6.00 for Windows, San Diego, California, USA) was used.

Results and Discussion
L-NAME-induced hypertension is a well-established experimental model characterized by generalized NO deficiency and progressive increase in BP if prolonged. As L-NAME model mimics hypertension in human, it is very suitable to study the cardiovascular effects of new agents [42]. The precise mechanism bases on the fact that L-NAME, a structural analog of L-arginine, is metabolize by nonenzymatic hydrolysis into the active form, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG), which competitively binds to endothelial NOS [43]. NOS inhibition attenuates both the synthesis and metabolism of NO, the smallest gaseous intercellular signaling molecule mediating the vascular relaxation. Subsequently, NO deficiency leads to systemic vasoconstriction and hypertension [44].

Toxicity Study.
No mortality was recorded in the tested animals after 24 h of Roselle-Olive administration (5000 mg/kg). The study indicated that there were no significant alterations in animals' behavior or body weight after administering Roselle-Olive combination compared to normal control. Necropsy was done at day 14 after administration of Roselle-Olive, and no gross pathological changes were observed in comparison to healthy control animals.

Effect of Roselle-Olive Combination on Systolic BP (SBP),
Diastolic BP (DBP), Pulse Rate, and the Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP) in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. In the current study, oral administration of L-NAME was associated with a significant rise in BP, MAP, and pulse rate compared with the normotensive control rats, validating the induction of hypertension. As presented in Figure 1, rats administered with L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day) showed higher SBP than normal control rats by 26% and 32%, after 15 and 30 days, respectively. Likewise, DBP was increased by 51% and 38.5%, after 15 and 30 days, respectively. Similarly, the heart rate of the L-NAME group was elevated by 50% and  40% after 15 and 30 days, respectively. These results are in agreement with previously described findings where L-NAME induced a prolonged increase in BP [45][46][47]. The observed high pulse rate in the hypertensive group could contribute to alterations in the vascular remodeling and progression of cerebral hypertrophy due to NO inhibition by L-NAME which in turn leads to derangement of sympathetic cardiovascular regulation [48,49]. Administration of Roselle-Olive (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg) and lisinopril (a control hypotensive drug) caused a significant decline of BP and pulse rate in the hypertensive rats. Roselle-Olive (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg) decreased SBP in a dose-dependent manner by 17%, 15%, and 10%, after 30 days, respectively. Roselle-Olive (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg) decreased DBP by 26%, 25%, and 25%, after 30 days, respectively. This observed fall in BP in treated rats may be attributed to the hypotensive and vasorelaxant constituents of either HS such as anthocyanins, as delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside (hibiscin) and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside (gossypicyanin) [50], or OE such as oleuropein, a major component of olive leaves [51]. Moreover, Aliyu et al. [52] suggested that HS hypotensive and heart rate dampening effects could be sympathetically mediated.
Considering the previous studies that have claimed benefits of the individual components of our formula, HS and OE, on BP [22,44,[50][51][52][53], the outcome of our study supports a synergistic antihypertensive and absence of competing mechanistic actions between the ingredients of the formula on arterial function activity of each individual ingredient.

Effect of Roselle-Olive
Combination on ECG in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. L-NAME increased the R-R and PR intervals. On the other hand, it decreased heart rate, QRS, QT, QT c , and R-amplitude as compared to normotensive rats. Impairment of ECG parameters by L-NAME goes in line with the findings of Chaswal et al. [54] and also could be attributed to the effect of the decreased NO production on vascular smooth tone [55]. Remarkably, lisinopril and all doses of Roselle-Olive ameliorated the L-NAME-induced changes in ECG parameters after 30 days of treatment (Figures 2 and 3).

Effect of Roselle-Olive Combination on Some Serum
Biochemical Indices in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. L-NAME-induced depletion of NO is associated with various end-organ damages mainly cardiac, renal, and vascular due to structural alterations in the microcirculation of these target organs [56,57], in addition to oxidative stress which appears to play a prominent role in L-NAME-induced hypertension [58].

Effect of Roselle-Olive Combination on Liver Markers in
Hypertensive Rats. A strong body of evidences suggests that chronic inhibition of NOS by L-NAME alters various biochemical indices [59]. In the current study, the activities of the liver marker enzymes (ALT, AST, and γ-GT) were significantly elevated after L-NAME administration in comparison with normal controls, denoting hepatic injury ( Table 2). These results are in line with previous studies [60]. Barón et al. [61] reported that, under physiological conditions, NO maintains hepatic perfusion and so inhibition of NO synthesis by L-NAME leads to a marked increase in perfusion pressure. Moreover, Cottart et al. [62] demonstrated that hepatic markers, including aminotransferases and hyaluronic acid, worsened with L-NAME-nonselective inhibition of NOS. Protective effects of Roselle-Olive against hypertension-associated liver injury were confirmed by the reduction in ALT and γ-GT serum levels. These data come in line with the previous data for the hepatoprotective effect of either HS [10,63] or OE [22]. Interestingly, AST activity was not affected by Roselle-Olive treatment. This may be attributed to that AST is more diffusely represented extrahepatic in the heart, kidneys, brain, skeletal muscle, and red blood cells. Moreover, 80% of the cellular AST activity is localized in the mitochondria. Therefore, oxidative stress-associated mitochondrial injuries increase AST release [64].

Effect of Roselle-Olive Combination on Kidney Markers
in Hypertensive Rats. Creatinine and urea levels, the main kidney injury biomarkers, were significantly increased in the serum of L-NAME hypertensive rats. However, treatment with Roselle-Olive decreased both urea and creatinine levels ( Table 2). Since NO acts as a key regulator of renal hemodynamics, the inhibited NO synthesis in hypertensive state leads to reduction in renal functions including impaired renal markers and decreased urinary sodium excretion along with reduced renal blood flow, urine flow rates, and glomerular filtration rates [65]. Former studies attributed the efficacy of HS as a potent diuretic agent to its vasorelaxant effect through elevation of NO production [18,66]. In the same context, OE extract exhibited a protective effect against hypertension-associated renal impairment. The polyphenol constituents of olive leaf are known to have antihypertensive potential owning to their ability to enhance arterial dilatation via stimulation of endothelial NO production [67].

Effect of Roselle-Olive Combination on Lipid Profile in
Hypertensive Rats. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are considered as two concomitant cardiovascular risk factors [68]. The results of the current study indicated dyslipidemia in L-NAME-hypertensive rats evidenced by elevated serum triglycerides and cholesterol and LDL coupled with decreased level of HDL compared to normal control group ( Table 2). Concomitant administration of Roselle-Olive significantly modulated this dyslipidemic profile and nearly normalized the concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL (Table 2). However, the effect of HS on hypertensive-associated dyslipidemia is controversial. Several studies in animal models have stated the positive hypolipidemic effects of HS [69], while others have reported no significant effect on lipid profile parameters [70]. According to our finding, a combination of roselle and olive may contribute to the significant hypolipidemic effect observed in the treated groups. Together, the results of biochemical indices reflected the ability of the Roselle-Olive to reduce the incidence of liver and renal impairment and dyslipidemia associated with hypertension.

Effects of Roselle-Olive Combination on Angiotensin-
Converting Enzyme (ACE) Activity in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. Renin angiotensin system (RAS) components: renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptors, play an important role in the homeostatic control of arterial pressure, extracellular volume, and tissue perfusion [71]. ACE is a carboxypeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of  Figure 2: Effect of Roselle-Olive combination on ECG parameters (a) PR interval, (b) heart rate, (c) QRs interval, and (d) PR interval in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Data were expressed as mean ± SE. of 5-7 experiments. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD for multiple comparison test, A p < 0 05 versus normal control and B p < 0 05 versus hypertensive rats.  Ang I into the bioactive Ang II [72]. NO antagonizes Ang II action on vascular tone and renal sodium excretion. While NO acts as vasodilator and natriuretic, Ang II acts as vasoconstrictor and active sodium-retaining hormone. Moreover, NO downregulates the synthesis of ACE. On the other hand, Ang II reduces NO bioavailability by promoting its oxidative degradation [73]. Functional imbalance between Ang II and NO is an important pathophysiologic mechanism involved in hypertensive end-organ damage [74]. Indeed, ACE inhibition is an important strategy in lowering BP and providing broad end-organ protection by attenuating oxidative stress and endothelial cell apoptosis [74]. In the present investigation, L-NAME stimulates ACE in the liver and kidney (Tables 3 and 4). These findings come in Group 1: normal control; group 2: hypertensive control (L-NAME 50 mg/kg); group 3: L-NAME + lisinopril (10 mg/kg); group 4: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (500 mg/kg); group 5: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (250 mg/kg); group 6: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (125 mg/kg). Values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 7). * P < 0 05, statistically significant from the normal control group at the corresponding time. ǂ P < 0 05, statistically significant from the hypertensive control group at the corresponding time. Group 1: normal control; group 2: hypertensive control (L-NAME 50 mg/kg); group 3: L-NAME + lisinopril (10 mg/kg); group 4: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (500 mg/kg); group 5: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (250 mg/kg); group 6: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (125 mg/kg). Values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 7). * P < 0 05, statistically significant from the normal control group at the corresponding time. ǂ P < 0 05, statistically significant from the hypertensive control group at the corresponding time. Group 1: normal control; group 2: hypertensive control (L-NAME 50 mg/kg); group 3: L-NAME + lisinopril (10 mg/kg); group 4: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (500 mg/kg); group 5: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (250 mg/kg); group 6: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (125 mg/kg). Values are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 7). * P < 0 05, statistically significant from the normal control group at the corresponding time. ǂ P < 0 05, statistically significant from the hypertensive control group at the corresponding time.
consistency with previous studies [73,74]. Both Roselle-Olive and lisinopril exerted marked ACE inhibitory capacity in both hepatic and renal tissues of L-NAME hypertensive rats (Tables 3 and 4). These effects were involved in the mechanisms underlying HS antihypertensive influence [50,75]. In the same context, the present results support the argument that OE reduced BP due to its vasorelaxant activity mediated by inactivation of ACE enzyme [76,77]. Results of Roselle-Olive reflect the efficiency of this combination to lower blood pressure and concomitantly restore the homeostatic balance of vasoactive agents by inhibiting ACE which subsequently reduces Ang II and increases NO bioavailability [73]. Such a mechanism would be more effective in preventing or arresting end-organ disease [78].

Effects of Roselle-Olive Combination on Oxidative Stress
Biomarkers and Antioxidant Profile in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. Oxidative stress was found to be a primary cause in the pathogenesis of hypertension due to endothelial cell dysfunction [79]. Growing evidences suggest a crosslink between NO deficiency and development of oxidative stress in the onset and progression of vascular impairments [80]. During the normal physiology, NO reduces superoxide anion (O 2 − ) production through a sustained suppression of NADPH oxidase, the major source of vascular oxygen radicals [81].
In line with [82,83], our findings showed that administration of L-NAME is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and subsequently oxidative stress in both liver and kidney. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a prooxidant produced as secondary metabolite of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and indirectly reflects the oxidative degeneration of polyunsaturated fatty acids [84]. MDA was markedly accumulated in the hepatic and renal tissues of L-NAME group. Additionally, a marked depletion of endogenous antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH) was observed (Tables 3 and 4). Our findings support the previous reports which suggest that the L-NAME BP-raising mechanism might not solely depend on NOS inhibition but may involve oxidative stress [45].
As presented in Tables 3 and 4, daily administration of Roselle-Olive was able to counteract the decrease in the antioxidant reserve in hypertensive rats. Roselle-Olive at the three dose levels (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg/day) restored GSH contents in renal and hepatic tissues and normalized MDA content in the liver, when compared to normal and lisinopril groups. Some studies considered the antioxidant and ROS scavenging abilities as another mechanism for hypotensive actions of HS [66,84]. Additionally, olive was found to be a potent antioxidant and very effective in reducing ROS production [85,86]. In addition to the inhibition of NO synthesis, L-NAMEinduced oxidative stress results in inactivation of the available NO and inhibition of its vasodilator and natriuretic actions. Excessive O 2 •− radicals interact with NO forming peroxynitrite (ONOO − ) which exerts an additional detrimental effect on vascular function [74,87]. This accelerated oxidative degradation of NO by ROS can worsen its inhibited production [88]. In the other hand, during chronic elevation in arterial blood pressure, NO formation from nitrate is stimulated and catalyzed by cytochrome P 450 reductase. However, under oxidative stress, this NOSindependent NO production is switched off by ROS [89]. This view supports the concept that oxidative stress plays a key role in the endothelial dysfunction accompanying hypertension. Accordingly, the observed increase in NO bioavailability in Roselle-Olive-treated groups in face of its inhibited synthesis by L-NAME could be explained by the antioxidant activity and ROS scavenging action of Roselle-Olive combination together with its inhibitory action on ACE. ( Figure 5(a)). The kidneys of L-NAME hypertensive group showed significant increased lesion scoring compared to the normal control group (Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c)). These lesions included glomerular hypertrophy with mesangiolysis that is characterized by necrosis of mesangial and endothelial cells, adhesion of glomerular tuft to a parietal layer of the Bowman's capsule, dilation of Bowman's space with proteinous leakage, and moderate thickening of the parietal layer of the Bowman's capsule. Moreover, the renal tubular epithelia showed marked necrobiotic changes with extensive proteinous cast accumulation in their lumina. Collagen depositions with mononuclear inflammatory cell aggregation in the interstitial tissue were also observed. L-NAMEinduced renal histopathological changes were markedly attenuated in all Roselle-Olive and lisinoprinil-treated groups ( Figures 5(c), 5(d), 5(e), and 5(f)). Thereby, treatment with Roselle-Olive at different doses significantly improved the renal histopathological findings.
Emerging evidence supports a unique role of local RAS in the kidney response to hypertensive stimuli and the induction of hypertension [90]. Increased Ang II mediates the arterial and glomerular hypertension and increases nephron glomerular filtration rate and nephron blood flow leading to nephron damage and subsequent renal failure [90]. Ang II exerts its effects by increasing ROS generation and release of proinflammatory chemokines causing various glomerular injuries [91]. On the basis of kidney biochemical and pathological findings (Tables 2 and 4, Figures 4 and 5), it seems fair to suggest that the ameliorative effect of Roselle-Olive on L-NAME-induced renal damage and reduction of renal fibrosis is mediated through its antioxidant action and inhibition of RAS through inhibition of ACE. These results provide confirmatory evidence that ACE inhibitors are able to prevent the intraglomerular vascular action that resulted from renal hypertension and glomerular hyperfiltration more effectively than other antihypertensives [92].

3.7.2.
Histopathology of the Heart. The histopathological lesion scoring of the heart of the different groups was summarized in Figure 4(d). The heart of the normotensive group showed a normal histological finding of the myocardium (Figure 6(a)). The L-NAME hypertensive group revealed severe myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and fibrosis with mononuclear cell infiltration (Figure 6(b)). Roselle-Olive and lisinoprinil-treated groups showed a significant reduction in all myocardial lesions as shown in Figures 4(d) and 6. In Masson's trichrome-(MT-) stained sections, the heart of L-NAME hypertensive rats showed extensive collagen fiber deposition (Figure 7(b)) and increased myocardial fibrosis % (Figure 8(a)) compared to the normal controls. Groups that received Roselle-Olive at the three dose levels (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg/day) showed marked attenuation of myocardial fibrosis (Figures 7(c), 7(d), 7(e), 7(f), and 8(a)). Previous studies demonstrated that NO-deficient hypertension by L-NAME resulted in marked cardiac inflammation and development of myocardial fibrosis due to a significant increase in the cardiac density of macrophage and T-cell that produce several cytokines that promote fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition [93,94]. Roselle-Olive combination, similar to ACE inhibitor treatment, reduced the macrophage infiltration and cellular proliferation [95] and reduced myocardial fibrosis.
The results of the aortic media thickness were summarized in Figure 8(b). The aorta of the control group showed normal histological feature of tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The L-NAME hypertensive group showed focal tunica intima thickening and a significant increase in the tunica media thickness comparing to the control group. Roselle-Olive administration resulted in a significant reduction in the tunica media thickness when compared with the hypertensive group (Figure 8(b)).

Effects of Roselle-Olive Combination on Nitric Oxide Level and Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS and iNOS) Protein and
Gene Expression in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. NO enzymatic synthesis from L-arginine is derived from three different synthases: endothelial (eNOS), inducible (iNOS), and neuronal (nNOS) synthases [96]. For maintenance of BP homeostasis, NO, as endogenous vasodilator, translocates into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and initiates a series of chemical interactions beginning with activation of soluble guanylate cyclase which then catalyzes the cyclization of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to its cyclic form (cGMP). Increased cGMP level then causes a decrease in intracellular Ca2 + and subsequent vasodilatation [97]. Moreover, NO action on VSMCs inhibits the adhesion of leukocytes and platelets to the endothelial lining and impeding the proinflammatory state. Therefore, alteration in NOS function or expression is a candidate in the pathogenesis of hypertension.  Group 1: normal control; group 2: hypertensive control (L-NAME 50 mg/kg); group 3: L-NAME + lisinopril (10 mg/kg); group 4: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (500 mg/kg); group 5: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (250 mg/kg); group 6: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (125 mg/kg). Values represent fold increases in mRNA level over the control group. GAPDH was used as an invariant internal control for calculating mRNA-fold changes.
Values are expressed as mean ± SE. * P < 0 05, statistically significant from the normal control group at the corresponding time. ǂ P < 0 05, statistically significant from the hypertensive control group at the corresponding time.  eNOS is the constitutively expressed isoform in the vascular endothelium and serves as the predominant source of NO for the regulation of vascular tone. Thereby, eNOS has been proven to have numerous protective effects in the cardiovascular system, while eNOS impairment or knockout leads to hypertension [98]. Despite much less known about nNOS in human, nNOS-generated NO may play an important role in the physiologic regulation of the basal vasomotor tone and blood flow [99]. During inflammation, a substantial production of NO has been found to be derived from iNOS that was induced by the inflammation [37]. In the present study, NO production was inhibited in the liver and kidney of the L-NAME hypertensive group to about 63% and 42% of its normal levels, respectively. NO levels were markedly restored in both liver and kidney of the lisinopril-treated groups (Tables 3 and 4). All dose levels of Roselle-Olive were efficient to nearly normalize NO level in the liver of hypertensive rats, while in the kidney, a dose-dependent increase in NO levels to 51%, 52%, and 65% of its normal levels in Roselle-Olive-treated groups (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg), respectively (Tables 3 and 4). Our results on both mRNA and protein levels indicated a downregulation of eNOS in the L-NAME hypertensive group and their positive responses to Roselle-Olive or lisinoprinil treatment. At the gene level, eNOS mRNA levels in the kidney and heart of the hypertensive group were reduced to about one tenth, 0.14-fold and 0.16-fold, respectively ( Table 5). The treatment of rats with lisinopril resulted in restoration of eNOS expression. Administration of Roselle-Olive showed a protective effect against L-NAME-induced eNOS downregulation to be increased to 3.9-fold and 0.7-fold in the kidney and 2.9-fold and 10-fold in the heart of the Roselle-Olive-treated groups (500 and 250 mg/kg), respectively (Table 5). At protein level, immunohistochemistry revealed that eNOS was expressed mainly in renal tubular epithelial cells, endothelial lining capillary tuft, and endothelial lining of aorta, renal, and cardiac blood vessels with a significant decrease in eNOS immune-staining in the kidney (Figure 9), heart, and aorta ( Figure 10) of the L-NAME group compared to the normotensive group. eNOS protein expression showed a significant increase in lisinopril and Roselle-Olive-treated groups compared to the hypertensive group (Figures 9 and 10). Restoration of eNOS expression confirmed by the increased hepatic and renal NO contents (Tables 3 and 4) and the subsequent vasodilatation and reversing the pathologic arterial remodeling. These results suggest upregulation of eNOS as a mechanism mediating the antihypertensive action of Roselle-Olive combination. The present data supports previous findings demonstrating that olive pomace improves endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive animals by enhancing eNOS expression [100]. Moreover, HS was found to ameliorate hypertension by mechanisms associated with endotheliumderived NO-cGMP pathway and inhibition of Ca2 + influx into VSMCs [101,102].
Regarding iNOS expression at mRNA and protein levels, we observed that iNOS mRNA did not show significant differences between the examined groups (Table 6), whereas on the protein level, all L-NAME-treated groups displayed enhanced iNOS expression in the kidneys and heart compared to control group ( Figure 11). These findings agreed with Pechánová et al. [103] that in L-NAME hypertension, increased iNOS was observed to serve as a major source of hemodynamically essential NO production. The discrepancy between iNOS mRNA and protein levels in our study may be explained by the fact that proteins undergo regulations apart from gene transcription [104]. Considerable evidences demonstrate that increased iNOS expression contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Excessive NO derived by iNOS upregulation reacts with superoxide radicals forming peroxynitrite which promotes nitrosative stress and endothelial impairment. Additionally, excessive iNOS activity upregulates arginase activity that competes with eNOS for L-arginine for NO formation. This accompanied with eNOS uncoupling with enhanced superoxide anion production instead of NO [105].
3.9. Effects of Roselle-Olive Combination on DNA Damage in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats. A strong association correlates between the excessive ROS/RNS generation during the pathogenesis of hypertension and the oxidative damage of most cell macromolecules including protein, lipids, and DNA [79]. Oxidative DNA damage is progressed by several mechanisms including the direct attack of ROS to DNA causing DNA base oxidation and deamination, binding of LPO end products to DNA, and damage of repair enzymes [106].
In the current study, comet assay was used as a wellvalidated technique to assess DNA fragmentation and damage [37]; L-NAME-induced hypertension was associated with a marked DNA damage in the kidney (Table 7, Figure 12) and heart (Table 8, Figure 13). The evidence for DNA damage is the significant elevation in the comet parameters, presented as tail length (μm), tail DNA (%), and tail moment which was considered as the main indicative parameter used for DNA damage (Tables 7 and 8). Moreover, a comet-like tail implies the presence of a damaged DNA strand. The length of the tail increases with the extent of DNA damage as observed in the L-NAME hypertensive group (Figures 12 and 13). Moreover, a small comet head  and a large broom-like tail were observed in the L-NAME hypertensive group. On the other hand, coadministration of lisinopril deteriorated the effect of L-NAME through significant reduction of the tail length, damaged DNA %, tail moment, and reducing the intensity of comet tail (Tables 7  and 8). Administration of Roselle-Olive showed a dosedependent protective effect against L-NAME-induced oxidative DNA damage in the kidney and heart as shown in Tables 7 and 8, respectively. The probable mechanism underlying the genoprotective potential of Roselle-Olive as observed in our study could be by virtue of its powerful antioxidant capacity and its ability to mitigate excess ROS and LPO. These data were in line with previous reports on effect either HS or OE against DNA damage. Ghosh et al. [107] showed that the antigenotoxic property of HS extract is presumably attributed to its antioxidant properties. Additionally, previous in vitro studies showed that HS is genoprotectant against oxidative DNA damage to cultured hematopoietic stem cells [108]. Besides, many studies demonstrated a potent genoprotective effect of olive leaf extract or phenols against DNA oxidative damage [103,104]. Although, conflicting results were obtained in other studies in which olive showed no significant effect on DNA damage [109].
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine a combination of H. sabdariffa and O. europaea (Roselle-Olive) against L-NAME-induced hypertension at three dose levels. Roselle-Olive combination tried to integrate two different mechanisms against hypertension. H. sabdariffa blocks the renin angiotensin pathway, and O. europaea fosters NO release and ROS inhibition; hence, augmented actions could be obtained. Roselle-Olive inhibited the ACE activity by 85%, respectively, when compared to the L-NAME group. Moreover, Roselle-Olive combination restored eNOS expression and subsequently maintained the vasoprotective NO level. The significant antioxidant potential with Group 1: normal control; group 2: hypertensive control (L-NAME 50 mg/kg); group 3: L-NAME + lisinopril (10 mg/kg); group 4: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (500 mg/kg); group 5: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (250 mg/kg); group 6: L-NAME + Roselle-Olive (125 mg/kg). Values are expressed as the mean ± SE. n = number of rats. * P < 0 05, statistically significant from the normal control group at the corresponding time. ǂ P < 0 05, statistically significant from the hypertensive control group at the corresponding time.
the genoprotective effect against apoptotic DNA was found to participate in mediating Roselle-Olive antihypertensive and end-organ protective actions. Together, these outcomes placed Roselle-Olive combination as a promising therapeutic agent against hypertension and its associated complication.

Conclusion
The present study provides evidences that the new formula "Roselle-Olive" exhibited a considerable antihypertensive potential at the three examined dose levels (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg). Roselle-Olive combination significantly normalized the elevated systolic and diastolic BP as well as the pulse rate after two and four weeks of treatment. Roselle-Olive was efficient to improve liver and kidney functions and reversed the dyslipidemic effect of L-NAME-induced hypertension as well. Moreover, the present study suggested a multimechanistic action mediating the Roselle-Olive antihypertensive effect including antioxidant, genoprotective, and ACE inhibitory action in addition to upregultation of eNOS expression. These findings point out the augmented beneficial effects of Roselle-Olive combination as a complementary treatment in the management of hypertension and its complications.