Journal #1

Abstract 3278: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Tea (Tisane) Lowers Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and
Mildly Hypertensive Adults
Author : Diane L McKay ; Edward Saltzman ; Chung-Yen Chen ; Jeffrey B Blumberg
Date : (Circulation. 2008;118:S_1123.)
Publication : 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.
Source : Tufts Univ/HNRCA, Boston, MA
Abstract :
In vitro studies have shown Hibiscus sabdariffa L., an ingredient of many herbal tea blends and other
beverages, has antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that daily consumption of H. sabdariffa
tisane (hibiscus tea) has a beneficial effect on blood pressure (BP) in pre- and mildly hypertensive
adults. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 65 men and women, age 30
70 y, with systolic BP (SBP) 120 150 and diastolic BP (DBP) 95 mm Hg, who were not on BP-
lowering medications. Subjects were randomized to receive either 3 c/d hibiscus tea (brewed from
3.75 g of plant material) or a placebo beverage for 6 wk. A standardized method was used to
measure BP at 2 baseline visits, 1 wk apart, and at weekly intervals thereafter.
H. sabdariffa treatment lowered SBP (mean SEM) compared with placebo (7.2 1.9 vs. 1.3 1.8
mm Hg, P=0.030). DBP was also lower after treatment, although this change was not significantly
different than placebo (3.1 1.2 vs. 0.5 1.4 mm Hg, P=0.160). The decrease in mean arterial
pressure (MAP) was of borderline significance (4.5 1.3 vs. 0.8 1.4 mm Hg, P=0.054). No
interactions were observed with regard to age, gender or use of dietary supplements.
In a subgroup analysis, subjects with higher SBP at baseline (>129 mm Hg, n=30) showed a greater
response to H. sabdariffa treatment when compared with placebo for SBP (13.2 2.9 vs. 1.3 3.4
mm Hg, P=0.012), DBP (6.4 1.4 vs. 1.3 1.8 mm Hg, P=0.002), and MAP (8.7 1.6 vs. 0.4 2.1
mm Hg, P=0.002). Daily consumption of 3 c hibiscus tea, an amount readily incorporated into the
diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults and may prove an effective component of the
dietary changes recommended for people at risk of developing hypertension.





Journal #2

Title : Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences

Authors : Joshi UH*, Ganatra TH, Bhalodiya PN, Desai TR, Tirgar PR

Place : Dept of Pharmacology, RK College of Pharmacy, Kasturbadham, Bhavnagar Road, Rajkot
360020, Gujarat, India

Publication Date : April June, 2012.
Abstract : Newer herbs as anti-hypertensive
The incidence and prevalence of systemic hypertension are reaching global epidemic proportions.
Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Despite a diversity of
pharmacological agents to treat high blood pressure, suboptimal control remains a significant
problem in as many as 43% of patients and this rate has not significantly improved over the past 2
decades. There are a variety of factors contributing to this including patients non-adherence due to
complex drug regimens and medications side effects, under-treatment and treatment resistance.
There, thus, remains a need to find herbal treatment to antihypertensive therapy that facilitate
attainment of optimal blood pressure levels. This monograph will review a number of
pharmacological targets and interventions, herbal alternatives to achieve optimum hypertensive
boundaries as well as novel approaches for the same. This review mainly focuses on better herbal
alternative of current allopathic remedies as well as newer herbal approaches like Hibiscus tea to
treat hypertension. Several studies have found that Hibiscus tea has a substantial antihypertensive
effect attributable to the flower's ACE-inhibiting anthocyanin content, and possibly to a diuretic
effect. One study found that hibiscus conferred an antihypertensive effect comparable to 50 mg day
of the drug captopril.
JOURNAL :
http://www.ijfans.com/vol2issue1/19.pdf