Abstract
Background: Effective control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension decreases cardiovascular mortality. However, many hypertensives are unresponsive to standard antihypertensive treatment. Research has found anti-hypertensive potential in the Ayurvedic drugs Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Shunthi (Zingiber officinale). Hence, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Capsule Artyl (the oral formulation of Brahmi and Shunthi) as a treatment option in hypertensive subjects.
Methods: There were 30 hypertensive subjects attending out-patient departments of clinics in Maharashtra, India, who were enrolled in this four-week, open-label, single-arm study. All subjects received Capsule Artyl (500 mg) twice a day orally daily. The mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on days 1 and 28 of the study were compared, along with the mean arterial pressure (MAP).
Results: The mean SBP was significantly lesser on day 28 (141.86 ± 12.54 mmHg) as compared to the mean SBP recorded on day 1 (155.48 ± 19.37 mmHg) (p < 0.001). The mean DBP on day 28 (89.66 ± 6.8 mmHg) was lesser than that on day 1 (90.34 ± 7.44 mmHg), but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the mean value of MAP on day 28 (107.06 ± 7.03 mmHg) as compared to that on day 1 (112.06 ± 10.75 mmHg) (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Capsule Artyl significantly decreased the BP in hypertensive patients, without any adverse effects. Controlled trials are needed to confirm the positive outcome of this promising herbal formulation in hypertensive patients.
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