Publication:

The effect of a polyherbal oral formulation in the management of essential hypertension: an open label, pilot clinical study

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 were enrolled in this four-week, open label, single arm study. All subjects received capsule Artyl (500mg) 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±12.54mm Hg) as compared to the mean SBP recorded on day 1 (155.48±19.37mm Hg) (p 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the mean value of MAP on day 28 (107.06±7.03mm Hg) as compared to that on day 1 (112.06±10.75mm Hg) (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.