Old World Treatments for the 21st Century

WASHINGTONA team of researchers concluded eight of 16 plants evaluated could treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
In identifying various indigenous plants consumed by the local population in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, for a plethora of medicinal purposes, researchers also identified enzyme inhibiting (ACE) activity of those specimens.

Dried leaves from 16 plants were ground and used to prepare organic and aqueous extracts. Ten grams of ground plant material were suspended in either a methanol or distilled water solution for 48 hours. Each solution was subsequently filtered, and the filtrate dried.

Plasma ACE activity was determined using rat plasma; at least three separate determinations were conducted for each test compound.
Eight of the 16 plants demonstrated significant ACE inhibition activity in both extract forms: Amaranthus dubius, Amaranthus hybridus, Asystasia gangetica, Galinsoga parviflora, Justicia flava, Oxygonum sinuatum, Physalis viscosa and Tulbaghia violacea.

Researchers found one plant in particular stood out from others: Tulbaghia violacea (wild garlic). It showed more than 50 percent inhibition in both extract preparations. These findings are in keeping with those of prior studies (1999, 1993, 1966, 1962), and further testing has revealed the plant has promising hypotensive effects. Researchers concluded Tulbaghia violacea shows properties related to lowering blood pressure. Since the number of hypertensive individuals around the world is on the rise, it is worthwhile to pursue further studies involving this extract.

The study, "ACE Inhibitor Activity of Nutritive Plants in Kwa-Zulu Natal", was conducted by Irene Mackraj Ph.D. and S. Ramesar, both of the Department of Physiology and Physiological Chemistry; and H. Baijnath, Department of Biological and Conservation Sciences; University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa. Mackraj is presenting the findings at the 120th annual meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS), part of the Experimental Biology conference held April 28 to May 2, 2007 (Washington, DC).