Therapeutic Evaluation for Antihypertensive Effect of a Unani Formulation in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension

Essential hypertension (EH) is the most prevalent type of hypertension and worldwide health concern due to its strong association with cardiovascular accidents. Unani system of Medicine has been treating hypertension since decades.

The objective was to examine the antihypertensive effect of a Unani formulation containing Tukhm-ekahu (Lactuca scariola Linn), Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum Linn.), Gul-e-nilofar (Nymphaea alba Linn.) & Asraul (Rauwolfia serpentina Linn) in human being, reinforced with dietary changes and moderate exercise. An open single arm clinical trial was conducted for 8 weeks in 30 pre and mildly hypertensive adults, age 20–60 y, not taking blood pressure (BP) lowering medications of any other system (allopathic, homeopathic or aurvedic). A standardized method was used to measure BP at each follow up.

After 8 weeks, Unani formulation lowered both systolic and diastolic BP. (P ≤ 0.001). Complete symptomatic relief was achieved in 83.33% participants. After discontinuing the drug, follow up at 4 week’s post-trial, 46.67% participants maintained normotensive character.

Unani formulation, containing Tukhm-e-kahu (Lactuca scariola Linn), Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum Linn.), Gule- nilofar (Nymphaea alba Linn.) and Asraul (Rauwolfia serpentina Linn) used for the treatment in these cases have exhibited potential diuretic, sedative, hypotensive, hypnotic, vasodepressor, anti-arrhythmic and cardiac function hemodynamic activities, suggesting plausible mechanisms of action in these cases. Thus above result concluded its antihypertensive effect in EH.