Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the traditional use of Turmeric powder as Antihypertensive in Elderly

Abstract

Background: The Curcuma genus has a long history of medicinal applications. Curcuma longa L. (Turmeric) is the most popular cultivated plant.. Curcumin, a polyphenolic yellow substance, is the major constituent of tumeric .Many studies have been done on curcumin and this substance has a variety of effects Carried out on animals.. Curcumin reduced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. The current study aimed to measuring this effect on humans. Objective: To assess the effects and safety of taking turmeric powder as antihypertensive agent in elderly. Design: Prospective, observational study. All subjects were selected from Beni Suef University Hospital. The current study includes hypertensive patients with age above 50 years old classified into 2 groups. Group I: Normal control group consists of healthy volunteers. Group II: Hypertensive group includes hypertensive patients. Each group includes 20 subjects (n=20) divided into (male and female) subjects. In the current study, each group was taken a specific dose of turmeric powder for 8 weeks treatment. Results: The present study revealed that a significant reduction in readings of systolic and diastolic blood pressure had happened for patients who took turmeric powder for two months. As well as a reduction in serum lipid profile including TG, cholesterol, HDL and LDL significantly over a p value of 0.05 or less (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to healthy group. Conclusion: Our data support previous research, suggesting that turmeric powder intake engenders hypotensive and lipid-lowering effects.