hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of pumpkin seeds powder and oil on alloxan-induced diabetic in rats

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN) prevalence in India now estimated at 29.8%. HTN accounts for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths in India. The present study aims to determine the effect of a multi-component water extract on systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in hypertensive subjects and corresponding lowering of cardio vascular risk factors. The components of the herbal water extract were Black Cumin, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Clove, Guava Leaves, Flax Seeds, Cumin, Fenugreek, Fennel Seeds, and Licorice. A single-center, prospective, open-labeled, non-interventional, observational study was performed with 50 hypertensive subjects for 180 days. Five visits with intermediary evaluations on the 30th and 90th day were carried out. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein (CRP), HbA1c were monitored. Significant and gradual decrease (average of 48 mm Hg) in systolic blood pressure (SBP), a decrease (average of 34 mm Hg) in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and a reduction (average of 9.1%) in C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed after 180 days. All 50 subjects in the study have shown reduction in SBP and DBP with minimum reduction of 29 mm Hg and 17 mm Hg by day 180 versus baseline values respectively. The findings are independent of their medication/s profile with anti-hypertensive drugs. The herbal extract is effective in reducing the SBP and DBP of all the subjects when administrated as an adjuvant therapy. 1. Introduction Hypertension (HTN) a major risk factor for development of stroke, heart disease, heart failure, and renal disease in India and throughout the world. According to a 2020 ecological study among 182 countries, the prevalence of HTN ranged from 13% to 41% [1]. The fourth national family health survey evaluated hypertension in a large population-based sample (n=799,228) in India and reported HTN in 13.8% men vs. 8.8% women (overall 11.3%) aged 15-49 and 15-54 respectively [2]. The European guidelines [3] retain the previous definition of hypertension (i.e., BP >140/90 mm Hg) whereas the American guidelines [4] lowered the threshold. But overall, the guidelines define hypertension when systolic blood pressure (SBP) is ≥140 mm Hg and/or their diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is ≥90 mm Hg after repeated examination. Many factors such as genetics, obesity, life style patterns and diet are considered as risk factors for development of HTN. The treatment protocols are dependent on the degree of hypertension and presence of comorbidities such as Diabetes mellitus, stroke, Chronic kidney disorder and coronary artery disease. The treatment also needs stress alleviation, dietary and lifestyle changes to get more effective control of the disease. Various multidirectional approach and multiple drug combinations includes angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB); calcium channel blockers (CCB); beta-blockers (BB); and diuretics (DU) [5] which are routinely administered for treatment of HTN as the control of HTN is difficult and often requires trials of various combination and doses of drugs to suit an individual requirement. About 70% of hypertensive subjects require the combination of at least two antihypertensive agents to achieve recommended goals. The use of combinations of drugs allows for action on several different mechanisms to control the HTN. In a meta-analysis of 42 clinical trials, it was found that by combining two drugs with different mechanisms of action, an antihypertensive effect of approximately two to five times greater than that obtained by monotherapy is possible [6, 7]. Increasing the dose of monotherapy reduces coronary events by 29% and cerebrovascular events by 40%, while combining two antihypertensive agents with a different mechanism of action reduces coronary events by 40% and cerebrovascular events by 54% [8]. Medicinal plant products may play a major role in the prevention and treatment of HTN and act as simple adjuvants to HTN therapy thereby reducing dosage and adverse effects of hypertension apart from playing a role in cutting the costs of therapy [9] .