Abstract:The in vitro antioxidant capacity of coriander and its preventive effects on blood pressure elevation in rats induced by high-fructose and high-salt diet were investigated. The in vitro antioxidant activity of coriander was evaluated by measuring the ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals, as well as the reducing ability. The preventive potential of coriander on blood pressure elevation induced by high-fructose and high-salt diet was assessed by conducting a rat experiment. Male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in normal control group (NC) were fed with normal feed and water. Rats in model group(M), low-dose coriander group (LP) and high-dose coriander group (HP) were fed with high fructose (60%) feed and 2% saline. One week after the experiment, rats in LP and HP groups were daily administered with lyophilized coriander powder of 1 g/(kg·d) and 2 g/(kg·d), respectively. The blood pressure of rats was measured at a fixed time every week. The mean arterial pressure(MAP) was calculated at the end of experiment, and the level of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high density lipoprotein(HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C) in serum were also detected. The ethanolic extract of coriander showed excellent in vitroin vitro DPPH radical scavenging ability, hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing ability. The results of in vivo experiment in rats showed that the lyophilized coriander powder effectively alleviated the increment of body weight and blood pressure induced by high-fructose and high-salt diet. The MAP of rats in M group (21.2 kPa) was significantly higher than that of the normal rats (15.8 kPa). After intervention for 6 weeks with lyophilized parsley powder under high-dose and low-dose, the MAP values remarkably decreased to the normal level, i.e., 15.7 and 14.5 kPa, respectively. Additionally, coriander effectively antagonized the abnormal alterations in serum TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C contents induced by high-fructose and high-salt diet. Coriander possesses excellent antioxidant capacity in vitro, and can effectively prevent the elevation of blood pressure in rats induced by high-fructose and high-salt diet.