Treating hypertension with black-jack extract

Research has shown that black-jack (Bidens pilosa) can help improve symptoms of hypertension. The study, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, looked at the effects of ethylene acetate extract of black-jack leaves on L-NAME-induced (a non-specific nitric oxide inhibitor) hypertension in mice.

• Researchers from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon induced hypertension by giving L-NAME to mice.
• At the same time, some mice were orally given 75 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of black-jack leaf ethylene acetate extract every day, 150 mg/kg of black-jack leaf ethylene acetate extract per day, or 25 mg/kg of losartan daily. The treatment lasted for four weeks.
• At the end of the treatment, researchers recorded the hemodynamic parameters.
• They also assessed the effects of the extract on lipid profile, kidney and liver functions, and oxidative stress markers.
• Results revealed that the administration of black-jack leaf ethylene acetate extract prevented hypertension induced by L-NAME without compromising the heart rate.
• The study also confirms that black-jack can normalize lipid profile, fight against oxidative stress and cell damage in liver and kidney, and enhance endothelial function in hypertensive animal models.
• These benefits of black-jack may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids like quercetin.

Overall, the findings of the study proved that black-jack leaf extract contains antihypertensive and antioxidative properties.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Bilanda DC, Dzeufiet PDD, Kouakep L, Aboubakar BFO, Tedong L, Kamtchouing P, Dimo T. BIDENS PILOSA ETHYLENE ACETATE EXTRACT CAN PROTECT AGAINST L-NAME-INDUCED HYPERTENSION ON RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 10 October 2017; 17(479). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1972-0