Anti-hypertensive Herbs and their Mechanisms of Action: Part I

Abstract

The use of herbal therapies for treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is increasing. Plants contain a bounty of phytochemicals that have proven to be protective by reducing the risk of various ailments and diseases. Indeed, accumulating literature provides the scientific evidence and hence reason d'etre for the application of herbal therapy in relation to CVDs. Slowly, but absolutely, herbal remedies are being entrenched into evidence-based medical practice. This is partly due to the supporting clinical trials and epidemiological studies. The rationale for this expanding interest and use of plant based treatments being that a significant proportion of hypertensive patients do not respond to Modern therapeutic medication. Other elements to this equation are the cost of medication, side-effects, accessibility, and availability of drugs. Therefore, we believe it is pertinent to review the literature on the beneficial effects of herbs and their isolated compounds as medication for treatment of hypertension, a prevalent risk factor for CVDs. Our search utilized the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, and the criterion for inclusion was based on the following keywords and phrases: hypertension, high blood pressure, herbal medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), nitric oxide, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, hydrogen sulfide, nuclear factor kappa-B, oxidative stress, and epigenetics/epigenomics. Each of the aforementioned keywords was co-joined with herb in question, and where possible with its constituent molecule(s). In this first of a two-part review, we provide a brief introduction of hypertension, followed by a discussion of the molecular and cellular mechanisms. We then present and discuss the plants that are most commonly used in the treatment and management of hypertension.

Effect of <i>Ocimum basilicum</i>, <i>Ocimum selloi</i>, and Rosmarinic Acid on Cerebral Vascular Damage in a Chronic Hypertension Model

“…It induces endothelial-cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation 52,53) through the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. 53,54) IL-1 is one of the most critical molecules involved in neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral stress responses. Many types of stressors induce the production of IL-1, both in the periphery and within the brain.…”

Chinese Herbal Medicine on Cardiovascular Diseases and the Mechanisms of Action

“…Sal A, Sal B, Danshensu, and tanshinones are its most effective ingredients. A combination treatment of Danshen and Gegen was shown to lower BP in SHRs and to induce relaxation of several kinds of arteries including porcine coronary arteries, rat aorta, and basilar arteries (Al Disi et al, 2015). Apart from its vasodilatory capacity, Danshen expresses additional anti-hypertensive parameters such as antioxidative, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities which will be discussed in more details in Section “Mechanisms of Plant Products in the Attenuation of CVDs.”…”

Mechanisms of Vasodilation Induced by Medicinal Plants: A Mini-Review

“…8,9 It has been extensively reported that in endothelium-intact rings, Ach-induced relaxation is completely reversed by NG-nitro-Larginine-methylester (L-NAME); a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. 1 In vascular tone regulation, both endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) and endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs) produce their effect via interaction between the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelial factors that are most commonly held to account for the actions of vasodilator drugs, which may also explain the actions of vasodilator medicinal plants ( Vasorelaxants which act through interference with Ca 2+ influx via VOCC or ROCC are usually differentiated using relaxation responses of isolated arterial rings precontracted with high K + (VOCC) or phenylephrine (ROCC).…”