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The use of photoplethysmography (PPG) as one of cardiovascular disease (CVD) marker has got more attention due to its simplicity, noninvasive and portable characteristics. Two new markers had been developed from PPG namely PPG fitness index (PPGF) and vascular risk prediction index (VPRI). The aim of the present study was to compare PPGF level between young women with and without CVD risk factors, to investigate the relationship between PPGF with other CVD markers and to assess the sensitivity of VRPI in classifying young women that have CVD risk factors. A total of 148 young women aged 20-40 years old with and without CVD risk factors were involved in this study. CVD risk factors comprised of abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and family history of premature CVD. Subjects were categorized into healthy or having CVD risk factor. Measurements taken were anthropometric data, blood pressure, lipid profile, pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), PPGF and VRPI. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis with p<0.05 as significant value. The mean subjects' age was 29.97±5.27 years old. There was no difference in PPGF level between groups (p>0.05). PPGF was independently determined by PWV (β=-0.31, p<0.001) and height (β=0.16, p=0.04). VRPI had 77.9% sensitivity in identifying subjects with CVD risk factor. In conclusion, PPGF correlates with PWV and has potential to be an indicator of aortic stiffness while VRPI is sensitive to classify those with CVD risk factor.

The quality control of raw herbal materials is important to ensure the safety, efficacy, and reproducibility of herbal products. Herbal products with consistent efficacy should be standardized and quantified based on their bioactive phytochemical compounds. Piper sarmentosum Roxb. has been reported for its antihypertensive activity. However, its antihypertensive effect on dexamethasone-induced hypertension still lacks information. In this study, the quality of two batches of raw P. sarmentosum leaf materials was assessed for heavy metal and microbial contents, and their aqueous extracts were assayed for antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract of the second batch of P. sarmentosum leaves was the only extract that passed the heavy metal and microbial limits and had the highest antioxidant activity (50.00 ± 2.88%); therefore, this extract was used for subsequent studies. The extract was quantified for two phytochemical markers, rutin (0.09 ± 0.002%) and vitexin (0.23 ± 0.007%), using a validated ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography method. The quantified extract (500 mg/kg/day orally) was able to lower the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure of dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats comparable to the positive control drug, captopril. In summary, the quantified aqueous extract of P. sarmentosum based on rutin and vitexin lowers the blood pressure of dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats, but its underlying mechanism warrants further investigation.