Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) shell extract alleviates hypertension in association with the regulation of gut microbiota

Abstract

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. A definite relationship between gut microbiota and hypertension remains intriguing. Here, we show that the Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) shell extract (SISE) intervention significantly reduced systolic blood pressures in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR), attenuated the oxidative damage and modulated plasma calcium homeostasis and left ventricular hypertrophy in both SHR and high-salt diet Wistar-Kyoto rats. SISE reshaped the gut microbiome and metabolome, particularly by improving the prevalence of Roseburia and dihydrofolic acid levels in the gut. Transcriptome analyses showed that the protective effects of SISE were accompanied by the modulation of renal molecular pathways, beneficial for cardiovascular functions such as the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (LTCC), a key regulator of calcium signaling. Overall, the results have shown that dietary SISE can alleviate hypertension regulating the gut microbiota, and Ca²⁺ signaling might be a potential target for spontaneous hypertension.