Phenolic acids, found in cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, have various biological functions. We aimed to compare the antihypertensive potential of different phenolic acids by evaluating their ACE inhibitory activity and cytoprotective capacity in EA.hy 926 endothelial cells. In addition, we explored the mechanism underlying the antihypertensive activity of sinapic acid. Of all the phenolic acids studied, sinapic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and ferulic acid significantly inhibited ACE activity. Moreover, gallic acid, sinapic acid, and ferulic acid significantly enhanced intracellular NO production. Based on the results of GSH depletion, ROS production, and MDA level analyses, sinapic acid was selected to study the mechanism underlying the antihypertensive effect. Sinapic acid decreases endothelial dysfunction by enhancing the expression of antioxidant-related proteins. Sinapic acid increased phosphorylation of eNOS and Akt in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate the potential of sinapic acid as a treatment for hypertension.

Hypertension, causing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart failure, has been a rising health issue worldwide. Black soybeans and adzuki beans have been widely consumed throughout history due to various bioactive components. We evaluated the antihypertensive effects of black soybean and adzuki bean ethanol extracts on blood pressure, renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and aortic lesion in spontaneously hypertensive rats. A group of WKY (normal) and six groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats were administered with saline (SHR), 50 mg/kg of captopril (CAP), 250 and 500 mg/kg of black soybean extracts (BE250 and BE500), 250 and 500 mg/kg of adzuki bean extracts (AE250 and AE500) for eight weeks. BE250, BE500, AE250, and AE500 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced relative liver weight, AST, ALT, triglyceride, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme level compared to SHR. The angiotensin II level in AE500 and renin mRNA expression in BE500 and AE500 were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to SHR. The lumen diameter was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in only CAP. Furthermore, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and angiotensin II level in AE500 were lower than those of BE500. These results suggest that AE exhibit more antihypertensive potential than BE in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Food Science of Animal Resources (Food Sci. Anim. Resour.) is an international, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal publishing original research and reviews on basic and applied aspects of the use of animal resources including the meat, egg, and dairy product. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. is published and distributed by the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.