Improvement on blood pressure and skin using roselle drink: A clinical trial.

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is an increasingly attractive plant for its health and pharmaceutical, beverage, and cosmetic applications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of roselle drink on antioxidant activity, blood pressure, and skin condition. Roselle drink used in this study contained rich phenolics (1.96 g of gallic acid equivalent/100 ml) and anthocyanins (1.65 g of cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent/100 ml). In a randomized, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 39 healthy adults received drank 200 ml of roselle drink or placebo-control drink for 6 months. A significant reduction in the blood pressure was observed in the roselle drink treated group when compared with preintervention values. After 6 months of treatment with roselle drink, serum phenolics contents, the levels of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) were significantly increased in healthy subjects. However, a significant increment in skin redness and skin moisture was observed in the facial skin of roselle drink-treated participants. Oral administration of roselle drink for 6 months significantly lowered the blood pressure, improved antioxidation level, and positively regulated skin redness as well as moisture. Phenolics and anthocyanins in roselle could be the major potential contributors to such health effects. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Roselle is a typical plant. Continuous administration of roselle drink clearly improved antioxidation levels, reduced blood pressure and positively regulated skin redness and moisture. Phenloics and anthocyanins in roselle could be the major potentila contributors of such health benefits.

New paeonol derivative C302 reduces hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats through endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and Chinese herb monomers could provide new structural skeletons for anti-hypertension new drug development. Paeonol is a Chinese herbal monomer extracted from Cortex moutan, exhibited some anti-hypertensive activity. The study focused on the structural optimization of paeonol to provide promising lead compounds for anti-hypertension new drug development. Herein, twelve new paeonol derivatives (PD) were designed and synthesized and their vasodilation activity was evaluated by in vitro vasodilation drug screening platform based on Myograph. Its anti-hypertension activity, PD-C302 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyvalerophenone) as a representative with the optimal vasodilation activity, was determined by its response to blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in vivo. Moreover, its molecular mechanism was probed by the vasodilation activity of rat superior mesenteric artery rings with or without endothelium pre-contracted by potassium chloride (KCl) or phenylephrine hydrochloride (PE). It was indicated that PD-C302 significantly reduced the blood pressure in SHR, which would involve in PD-C302-induced vasodilation. Furthermore, endothelium-dependent pathways and endothelium-independent pathways both contributed importantly to PD-C302-induced vasodilation at low concentration of PD-C302. Endothelium-independent pathways (vascular smooth muscle cell-mediated vasodilation), were mainly responsible for the PD-C302-induced vasodilation at high concentration of PD-C302, which involved in opening multiple K+ channels to restrain Ca2+ channels, and then triggered vasodilation to reduce blood pressure. PD-C302 has a simple structure and favorable anti-hypertensive activity in vivo, which could be a promising lead compound for anti-hypertension new drug development.

The antihypertensive potential of flavonoids from Chinese Herbal Medicine: A review.

With the coming of the era of the aging population, hypertension has become a global health burden to be dealt with. Although there are multiple drugs and procedures to control the symptoms of hypertension, the management of it is still a long-term process, and the side effects of conventional drugs pose a burden on patients. Flavonoids, common compounds found in fruits and vegetables as secondary metabolites, are active components in Chinese Herbal Medicine. The flavonoids are proved to have cardiovascular benefits based on a plethora of animal experiments over the last decade. Thus, the flavonoids or flavonoid-rich plant extracts endowed with anti-hypertension activities and probable mechanisms were reviewed. It has been found that flavonoids may affect blood pressure in various ways. Moreover, despite the substantial evidence of the potential for flavonoids in the control of hypertension, it is not sufficient to support the clinical application of flavonoids as an adjuvant or core drug. So the synergistic effects of flavonoids with other drugs, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical trials and the safety of flavonoids are also incorporated in the discussion. It is believed that more breakthrough studies are needed. Overall, this review may shed some new light on the explicit recognition of the mechanisms of anti-hypertension actions of flavonoids, pointing out the limitations of relevant research at the current stage and the aspects that should be strengthened in future researches.

Anti-Hypertensive Effects of Peptides Derived from Rice Bran Protein.

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Anti-hypertensive peptides derived from animal proteins, such as milk, eggs and fish, are well studied. Anti-hypertensive peptides have also been identified from plant proteins such as soybeans. Rice bran, a byproduct of white rice polishing, is rich in protein and its high protein efficiency ratio is well known. This review discusses the anti-hypertensive peptides identified from rice bran protein and their mechanisms. In addition, we describe protease-digested rice bran from which functional peptides have not been isolated.

Comprehensive characterisation of phenolics from Nitraria sibirica leaf extracts by UHPLC-quadrupole-orbitrap- MS and evaluation of their anti-hypertensive activity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: For more than ten scores years, the leaves and fruits of Nitraria sibirica have been used as a natural remedy for indigestion, irregular manes, and hypertension in the Middle East and Central Asia, especially, are recommended for hypertension treatment in the northwest region, China. AIM OF THE STUDY: we aimed to support the traditional usage of N. sibirica leaves as pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements in treatment of hypertension by investigating their chemical constituents and anti-hypertensive activity. METHODS: We identified the chemical composition of N. sibirica leaves ethanolic purified extract (NSL-EPE) using UHPLC-quadrupole-orbitrap-MS, and quantified the main chemical constituents by an analytical method established and validated. We also evaluated anti-hypertensive activity of NSL-EPE using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR): blood pressure was measured weekly by non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurements; hemodynamic parameters, biochemical and clinical chemistry variables in plasma, serum and kidney tissue were measured after 10 weeks of treatment with NSL-EPE as well. RESULTS: UHPLC-quadrupole-orbitrap-MS analysis identified 52 compounds, of which 40 compounds were reported for the first time in N. sibirica. 11 phenolic compounds further quantitatively analyzed, among which the most abundant compound was found to be clovin (8.8%). Systolic blood pressure decreased progressively from the second treatment week compared to that in non-treated SHRs. The plasma endothelin, aldosterone, angiotensin II levels were significantly increased, while the level of NOX was significantly decreased; glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio, superoxide dismutase and total catalase levels in the kidney tissue were markedly accelerated, while malondialdehyde level was significantly reduced in NSL-EPE treated SHRs. Moreover, the serum cholesterol, triglyceride, blood uria nitrogen and creatinine were attenuated in NSL-EPE treated SHRs (P < 0.05), but in sharp contrast to those values in the water-treated SHRs. CONCLUSION: This study screened out leading compounds from N. sibirica and offered a new understanding of the antihypertensive properties of N. sibirica leaves, by which inhibit oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction and improve lipid profiles.

Codonopsis lanceolata extract prevents hypertension in rats.

BACKGROUND: Codonopsis lanceolata, a plant with antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and blood lipid improving effects, has been widely used as a therapeutic agent in traditional medicine. PURPOSE: The present study investigated the ability of an ethanol extract of Codonopsis lanceolata (ECL) to prevent hypertension in hypertensive rats. METHODS: Rats were orally administered daily doses of 0 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg ECL for 3 weeks. As a positive control, rats were orally administered 10 mg/kg/day nifedipine. Hypertension was induced by immobilization stress for 2 h/day and by administration of 0.8 mg/kg/day nicotine for 3 weeks, followed by injection of 3 mg/kg nicotine on the day of sacrifice. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured using a volume pressure recording system. Vasoconstriction and vasodilation of aortic cross sections were measured with a physiological recorder. Neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were estimated with an automated cell counter. RESULTS: Treatment with both dosages of ECL significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) in hypertensive rats. Both doses of ECL tended to increase ACh- and SNP-induced vascular relaxation in hypertensive rats. Treatment with 200 mg/kg ECL significantly reduced neutrophil in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ECL is effective in reducing SBP and inflammation in hypertensive conditions.

Mechanisms of Action of Uncaria rhynchophylla Ethanolic Extract for Its Vasodilatory Effects.

Uncaria rhynchophylla is one of the major components included in Traditional Chinese Medicine prescriptions for hypertensive treatment. Previous studies have suggested that U. rhynchophylla might contain vasodilation-mediating active compounds, especially indole alkaloids. Hence, this study was carried out to determine the vasodilatory effects of U. rhynchophylla, which was extracted by different solvents. The most effective extract was then further studied for its signaling mechanism pathways. The authenticity of U. rhynchophylla was assured by using modernized tri-step Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), including conventional 1D FTIR, second derivative scanning combined with 2D-correlated IR spectroscopy. Results obtained proved that the fingerprint of U. rhynchophylla used was identical to the atlas. Isolated aortic rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were preconstricted with phenylephrine (PE) followed by cumulative addition of U. rhynchophylla extracts. The signaling mechanism pathways were studied by incubation with different receptor antagonists before the PE precontraction. In conclusion, the 95% ethanolic U. rhynchophylla extract (GT100) was found to be most effective with an EC50 value of 0.028 ± 0.002 mg/mL and an Rmax value of 101.30% ± 2.82%. The signaling mechanism pathways employed for exerting its vasodilatory effects included nitric oxide/soluble guanylyl cylcase/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/sGC/cGMP) and PGI2 (endothelium-derived relaxing factors), G protein-coupled M3- and ß2 receptors, regulation of membrane potential through voltage-operated calcium channel, intracellular Ca2+ released from inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R), and all potassium channels except the Kca channel.

Exploration on the Medication Rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Hypertension Treatment through Parallel K-means Optimization Algorithm / 医学信息学杂志

The paper introduces relevant concepts of parallelization,including Mapreduce programming frame and distributed document system of Hadoop,optimizes the traditional K-means algorithm,establishes parallel K-means clustering model,explores the medication rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for hypertension treatment,digs into 8 groups of prescriptions for differentiation treatment of hypertension through TCM,verifies authenticity of the conclusion by combining the theories of TCM.

Non-anti-hyperlipemic effects of Monascus-fermented rice and its mechanism: Recent advances / 中华临床营养杂志

Monascus-fermented rice is a natural food and traditional Chinese medicine. Besides its wellknown effectiveness in lowering blood lipids, Monascus-fermented rice is also beneficial for decreasing blood pressure, preventing osteoporosis, and lowering blood sugar. This article reviews recent advances in its non-anti-hyperlipemic effects and their potential mechanisms.