Inhibition of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, Angiotensin II Receptor Blocking, and Blood Pressure Lowering Bioactivity across Plant Families

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Interest in medicinal or nutraceutical plant bioactives to reduce hypertension has increased dramatically. The main biological regulation of mammalian blood pressure is via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The key enzyme is angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) that converts angiotensin I into the powerful vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II binds to its receptors (AT1) on smooth muscle cells of the arteriole vasculature causing vasoconstriction and elevation of blood pressure. This review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo reports of plant-derived extracts that inhibit ACE activity, block angiotensin II receptor binding and demonstrate hypotensive activity in animal or human studies. We describe 74 families of plants that exhibited significant ACE inhibitory activity and 16 plant families with potential AT1 receptor blocking activity, according to in vitro studies. From 43 plant families including some of those with in vitro bioactivity, the extracts from 73 plant species lowered blood pressure in various normotensive or hypertensive in vivo models by the oral route. Of these, 19 species from 15 families lowered human BP when administered orally. Some of the active plant extracts, isolated bioactives and BP-lowering mechanisms are discussed.

Beyond the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Soy Protein: A Review of the Effects of Dietary Soy and Its Constituents on Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

“…In postmenopausal women, six months of isoflavone supplementation was shown to improve endothelial vasodilation and resulted in a significant reduction in cellular adhesion molecules such as Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1, Vascular Cell Adhesion Protein 1, and E-selectin [54]. In support of these findings, animal studies have shown that soy isoflavones increase renal blood flow, sodium excretion, and interact with estrogen receptors to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme activity in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system [55]. However, clinical evidence supporting a role for isoflavones in hypertension management remains controversial.…”

Processed dietary plants demonstrate broad capacity for angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensin II receptor binding inhibition in vitro

“…These results potentially could be used as a basis for selection of individual or combinations of 'lead' plant foods with ACE and AT 1 R inhibitory activities suitable for further in vivo testing and determining efficacy not only for BP regulation (Patten et al, 2012) but also other physiological processes controlled by RAS such as salt excretion. It is possible in the future those physiological effects demonstrated for strategic combinations of processed forms of plants and other foods may drive understanding of the health potential of foods.…”

“…However, specific relationships between the individual constituents in fruit and vegetables that confer protection are not comprehensively understood (Ghosh & Scheepens, 2009) with bioactivity usually attributed to their anti-oxidant capacity (Cao, Booth, Sadowski, & Prior, 1998). The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is known to play a fundamental role in regulating peripheral electrolyte homeostasis, fluid volume and blood pressure in mammalian systems (Patten, Abeywardena, & Bennett, 2012). This is achieved through RAS-mediated modulation of cardiovascular and renal physiological processes.…”

Effects of olive oil on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Olive oil seems to inhibit the activity of angiotensin-converting enzymes, and blocks the binding to angiotensin II receptor, and this hypotensive activity was demonstrated in studies on animals or humans (Patten et al, 2016).…”