In the present work, the antihypertensive effects of celery seed extract (Apium graveolens) with active ingredients, such as 3‐n‐butylphthalide, were studied as a drug supplement in the treatment of hypertension. This study was a randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over clinical trial. Fifty‐two patients were divided into two groups (celery and placebo) and completed the two‐step clinical trial. Four celery seed extract capsules (totally 1.34 g per day) or 4 placebo capsules per day were administered to the patients during a 4‐week clinical trial. The blood pressure was assessed using a 24‐hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring method. In celery group, systolic blood pressure changed from 141.2 ± 5.91 to 130.0 ± 4.38 mmHg (p < .001) while diastolic blood pressure changed from 92.2 ± 5.74 to 84.2 ± 4.87 mmHg (p < .001). Moreover, the mean arterial blood pressure changed from 108.5 ± 5.76 to 99.5 ± 4.66 mmHg (p < .001), and pulse pressure decreased from 49.0 ± 6.21 to 45.8 ± 6.01 mmHg (p < .01). However, no significant changes were observed in placebo group in terms of the above‐mentioned parameters (p > .05). Furthermore, no significant side effect was reported in the celery group, compared to the placebo group (p > .05). The results were promising and indicated the therapeutic effects of celery seed extract as a supplement in the management of hypertension.

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Background: Herpes simplex viruses have been implicated as a cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to their widespread distribution and ability to infect human vascular endothelial cells. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the link between Herpes simplex infections and cardiovascular disease. Methods: This case-control study involved 236 patients aged 35 - 65, 118 with known cardiovascular disease and 118 controls. Patients’ cardiovascular disease evaluation was based on data from questionnaires, a specialist’s physical examinations, and paraclinical tests. Herpes simplex viruses (HSV)-antibodies (IgM, IgG) were determined using ELISA in serum samples, and the biochemical blood indicators were analyzed to examine their relationship to the level of HSV antibodies. All the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: IgM antibodies against herpes simplex were negative among all 236 patients. The positivity rate of IgG antibodies against herpes simplex was 58.8 and 51.2% in the case and control groups, respectively with no significant difference (P = 0.253). Patients with cardiovascular disease had a 0.587-fold higher positive rate of IgG antibodies than patients in the control group (odds ratio (OR) = 0.587). The mean age of patients with positive IgG antibodies was significantly lower than patients with negative IgG antibodies (P = 0.012). IgG positivity among men and women (P = 0.670) and different job statuses (P = 0.866) were not significantly different. Conclusions: The positivity rate of IgG antibodies against herpes simplex was not significantly different among the study groups. Although patients with positive IgG antibodies’ mean age was lower than those with negative IgG antibodies, the gender and job status were not different.

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Aims: The present study was conducted to evaluate the safety of celery seed extract (Apium graveolens), as a medicinal herb with active ingredients such as 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), in hypertensive patients. Methods: This study was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial. Hypertensive patients (51 participants) received 4 celery seed capsules (a total of 1.34g extract per day) or 4 placebo capsules per day for 4-weeks as a supplement to their usual medication regimen. Results: The results indicated that the celery seed capsule not only was safe for hypertensive patients but caused a reduction in BP, FBS, and lipid profile values. Also, it had beneficial effects on kidney and liver functions. No significant change was observed in blood cells and serum electrolytes (P>0.05). The mean reduction in BUN and SCr were 3.43 and 0.075 mg/dL, and in SGPT and SGOT were 4.08 and 3.03 U/L, respectively (P<0.05). FBS reduced from 108.53 to 97.96 mg/dL after 4-weeks of celery administration (P<0.01). The decrease in TC, TG, LDL, and increase in HDL were 16.37, 16.22, 11.84, and 2.52 mg/dL, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: According to the promising results of this clinical trial, celery seed extract can be considered a safe supplement for hypertensive patients.