Investigation of Angiotensin-Convertings Enzyme Inhibitory Effects of Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Persian Medicine for Treatment of Hypertension: Screening Study

Abstract

Article type: Original Article Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used widely in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. These inhibitors such as captopril and enalapril are derived from natural products. Materials and Methods: In the present study 135 plants used in Traditional Persian Medicine have been investigated for their angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. They were selected on the basis of their usage as antihypertensive, cardiotonics & diuretics. Dried powdered plant material was extracted with mix solution of water and ethanol in ultrasonic bath. The extracts were filtered and concentrated in vacuum except for the water extracts, which were freeze-dried. Test solutions were made by dissolving extract in assay buffer, corresponding to a final concentration of 0.33 mg of crude plant extract in 1 ml test volume. Enzyme assay was performed by HPLC method. Plants exhibiting inhibition levels with more than 50% were further tested for the presence of tannins in order to eliminate possible false positives. Results: In total, 52 Species out of the 135 (39%) screened, gave more than 50% ACE inhibition. Forty Species were found to possess a high ACE inhibiting ability and were low in their tannin content. Conclusions: Traditional medicine based on certain plants could be of beneficial effects in hypertension treatment.

Protective effect of Alhagi sparsifolia against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice

“…In the present study, the levels of serum ALT and AST, as biomarkers of hepatic function, were significantly increased in the group treated with APAP-alone. ALT and AST are simple and widely accepted biomarkers for hepatic dysfunction, indicating that the APAP-induced liver damage model was successfully developed in mice [14]. In the Alhagi sparsifolia treatment group, the serum level of AST and ALT were markedly attenuate has compared to the APAP treatment group, suggesting that Alhagi sparsifolia has potential for use as APAP intervention.…”

“…Uyghur ethno medicine describes, Alhagi sparsifolia as an antipyretic and anti-diarrhea that can be used without worries of toxicity [11]. Previous research has demonstrated that Alhagi sparsifolia possesses various pharmaceutical properties that provide benefits as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory agent [12][13][14]. To date, however, this herbal plant has only minimally been studied for its role as a hepatoprotective mechanism.…”

Anti-hypertensive medicinal plants and their mode of action

“…In-vitro ACE inhibitory activity was also investigated for P. harmala. It was observed that treatment resulted in 72% inhibition of ACE activity in the case of aqueous extract and 84% inhibition in the case of alcoholic extract (Kouchmeshky et al, 2012). The aqueous extract of seeds of P. harmala have also been demonstrated to have antispasmodic, anticholinergic, antihistaminic and antiadrenergic effects (Aqel and Hadidi, 1991).…”

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“…25 , terpenoids 26,27 , flavonoids, proanthocyanidins 28 , xanthones 29 , and peptides/amino acids 28,30 have been investigated for their ability to inhibit ACE, which could serve as model substances in the development of new ACE inhibitors. Recent study highlights 135 plants screened for their ACE inhibiting activity in which 52 species gave more than 50% ACE inhibition 31 .…”