Abstract

CHANGING THE LIPID PROFILE AND RENAL FUNCTIONS BY ALLIUM SATIVUM, NIGELLA SATIVA AND HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Faruk H. AL-Jawad, Hashim M. Hashim, Zaid Al-Attar* and Amna H. Al-Ani

ABSTRACT

Background: Essential hypertension is a global major health problem affecting more than a billion individual. The aim of the present study is to find out a new effective agent with high safety and low cost by examining Allium sativum, Nigella sativa, and Hibiscus sabdariffa as compared with antihypertensive drug Ramipril. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 24 hypertensive patients by examining effects of these agents on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in addition to investigating changes in serum lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides [HDL and LDL]) and changes in renal functions (serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, and electrolytes: Na+, K+, and Ca++) after administering these agents for 4 weeks. Results: There was a significant lowering effect of the four agents on both systolic and diastolic BP. Garlic has shown a significantly elevated HDL while roselle has shown a significantly decreased LDL levels. Other values of lipid are decreased. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum creatinine level with garlic and black seed is seen with a significant decrease of blood urea nitrogen level with roselle. The uric acid and sodium levels are significantly reduced with garlic. Conclusion: There is an advantageous effect of using these agents in hypertension therapy.

Keywords: Allium sativum, Nigella sativa, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hypertension, Lipid profile, Renal functions.