The Scientific Search for Antihypertensive Herbs in an Ancient Text
In the quest to combat hypertension, modern science is turning the pages of a 400-year-old medical encyclopedia to discover tomorrow's treatments.
Imagine a medical text so comprehensive that it continues to guide cutting-edge scientific research four centuries after its publication. The Donguibogam—a Korean medical encyclopedia compiled in 1613—is exactly that. This ancient text contains a wealth of knowledge about medicinal plants and their applications, including treatments for what we now recognize as hypertension 5 .
Today, as hypertension affects nearly one billion people worldwide and is predicted to impact 1.56 billion by 2025, researchers are combining traditional wisdom with modern laboratory techniques to identify promising natural treatments with fewer side effects than conventional drugs 1 3 .
Hypertension, often called the "silent killer," is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Conventional medications, while effective, often come with side effects including muscle cramps, abnormal heart rate, kidney issues, and extreme fatigue 1 .
of the world's population relies on herbal medicines for primary health care, particularly in developing countries 1 .
Herbal medicines offer lower costs, fewer side effects, and better compatibility with the human body compared to conventional drugs 1 .
The global scientific community has taken notice, with researchers investigating traditional medicine systems for potential alternatives or complements to conventional antihypertensive therapies 3 .
Medicinal plants combat high blood pressure through multiple sophisticated biological mechanisms:
Many herbs work by promoting vasodilation—the widening of blood vessels—which reduces peripheral vascular resistance and thus lowers blood pressure. They achieve this by increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator that relaxes blood vessel walls 3 5 .
Plants like greater burdock exhibit strong antioxidant properties, scavenging reactive oxygen species that contribute to vascular inflammation and dysfunction 1 .
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation. Some herbal compounds act as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, blocking the production of angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels 3 .
This is the same mechanism targeted by several prescription antihypertensive drugs, but herbal alternatives may offer this benefit with fewer side effects 5 .
Calcium channel blockers are a well-established class of antihypertensive drugs. Certain medicinal plants like Ajwain (Carum copticum L.) and Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) contain compounds that naturally block calcium channels, reducing vascular contraction and resistance 1 .
Plants such as Bindii (Tribulus terrestris) and Burhead (Echinodorus grandiflorus) promote diuresis—increased urine production—which helps reduce blood volume and consequently blood pressure 1 .
| Plant Name | Key Antihypertensive Mechanism | Traditional Use |
|---|---|---|
| Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) | Calcium channel blockade, diuretic, antioxidant | Middle East, Europe, Africa |
| Celery (Apium graveolens) | Reduces circulating catecholamines, antioxidant | Worldwide |
| Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) | Increases total antioxidant status | South Asia |
| Cat's Claw Herb (Uncaria rhynchophylla) | Reduces intracellular calcium levels | Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Bindii (Tribulus terrestris) | Diuretic, inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells | Multiple traditional systems |
In 2016, a team of Korean researchers conducted a groundbreaking study to scientifically validate traditional remedies described in the Donguibogam 5 . Their systematic approach demonstrates how ancient wisdom can be tested with modern scientific rigor.
The researchers employed a multi-stage process to identify and verify potential antihypertensive herbs:
Identifying traditional terminology related to hypertension using the Korean Classification of Disease in Oriental Medicine 5 .
Selecting herbs based on obtainability, potential as food supplements, and recommendations from Oriental medicine doctors 5 .
Testing plant extracts using NO production assays and ACE inhibition assays 5 .
Using advanced spectrometry to identify active compounds like quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin 5 .
| Herb Extract | NO Production | ACE Inhibition | Key Identified Compounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evodiae fructus | Significant increase | Weaker | Quercetin, apigenin, luteolin |
| Bambusae caulis in Taeniam | Significant increase | Weaker | Quercetin, apigenin, luteolin |
| Sophorae fructus | Significant increase | Weaker | Quercetin, apigenin, luteolin |
| Melonis calyx | Significant increase | Weaker | Quercetin, apigenin, luteolin |
| Schizonepeta rhizome | Significant increase | Weaker | Quercetin, apigenin, luteolin |
The study revealed that five of the seven tested herb extracts significantly increased nitric oxide production, suggesting a potent vasodilatory effect. Interestingly, most showed only weak ACE inhibition, indicating their primary antihypertensive mechanism differs from many conventional drugs 5 .
Through advanced Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, the researchers identified three major flavonoids responsible for these effects: quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin 5 . These compounds are now recognized for their multiple cardiovascular benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties.
Essential Tools for Herbal Antihypertensive Research
| Research Tool | Function in Antihypertensive Screening | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| EA.hy529 Cell Line | Human umbilical vein endothelial cells used to study vasodilation mechanisms | Measuring nitric oxide production stimulated by herb extracts 5 |
| Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibition Assay | Evaluates ability to block ACE, a key enzyme in blood pressure regulation | Testing herb extracts as potential natural ACE inhibitors 5 8 |
| Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) | Ultra-high resolution technique for identifying complex plant compounds | Determining exact molecular formulas of active phytochemicals 5 |
| DAF-2 Fluorescent Dye | Detects nitric oxide production in cellular assays | Quantifying NO levels in endothelial cells after treatment with herb extracts 5 |
| Ex Vivo Aortic Ring Assay | Measures vasorelaxation in isolated tissue | Confirming blood vessel relaxation effects of medicinal plants 9 |
The integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods represents a promising path forward for drug discovery. This systematic approach—beginning with traditional texts, followed by laboratory validation—could be applied to other health conditions beyond hypertension, potentially unlocking new treatments for diabetes, obesity, and various inflammatory conditions 5 .
Rigorous clinical trials are essential next steps to confirm the long-term safety and therapeutic consistency of these herbal treatments 3 .
Standardized formulations and regulatory oversight will ensure consistent quality and efficacy of herbal medicines 3 .
The success of this research approach underscores the value of preserving and studying traditional medical systems. In the words of researchers who have pioneered this work, their "systematic approach to identifying candidate herbal remedies in the traditional Korean pharmacopoeia can be used to search for additional traditional remedies, such as for hypoglycemia and obesity" 5 .
The scientific investigation of traditional herbs from the Donguibogam represents more than just a search for new hypertension treatments—it demonstrates a respectful collaboration between ancient wisdom and modern science.
400-year-old medical encyclopedia providing time-tested remedies
Cutting-edge laboratory techniques validating traditional knowledge
As research continues to validate traditional knowledge, we move closer to a healthcare model that combines the best of both worlds: evidence-based yet holistic, advanced yet accessible.
As we look to the future, this marriage of ancient tradition and cutting-edge science may hold the key to addressing some of our most persistent health challenges, offering new hope for the billions affected by hypertension worldwide.