Role of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in the Maintenance of Cardiovascular Homeostasis Following Cold Stress

Abstract

Objective: To study the beneficial role of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis following cold stress. Materials and Methods: The effect of the alcoholic extract of Seabuckthorn in the daily oral dose of 500 mg was studied on various electrophysiological and neurochemical parameters following cold stress among the positive cold stress responders (human subjects) continuously for 3 months. Results: The average differences in cardiovascular responses like systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate that were found to be raised following cold pressor test, minimized following three months oral administration of Seabuckthorn. Further, the psychophysiological parameters like occipito frontalis EMG and galvanic skin resistance also regulated under drug treatment. The serotonin and plasma cortisol levels were also modified following oral administration of Seabuckthorn. Conclusion: Seabuckthorn exhibited beneficial effects to reduce the cardiovascular reactivity following cold stress and thus it enhances the stress tolerance capacity as well as better adaptation towards stress.