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Study on Boerhaavia diffusa's effect on essential hypertension.

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Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: A clinical study on the effect of boerhaavia diffusa (punarnava) in essential hypertension
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Original source:

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Author(s):

*Saurabha Nayak
P.G.Scholar, PG Department of Kayachikitsa, Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Puri, Odisha.
Shobha Nayak
Associate Professor, Dept. of Agad Tantra, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India.
Deba Prasad Dash
Reader & Head, PG Department of Kayachikitsa, Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Puri, Odisha
Brajaraj Das
Sr. Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar.


Ayushdhara:

(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)

Full text available for: A clinical study on the effect of boerhaavia diffusa (punarnava) in essential hypertension

Year: 2015

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Essential Hypertension (EHTN) has become a significant public health concern globally, impacting a large segment of the population, particularly in India where prevalence rates are between 20-40% in urban areas and 12-17% in rural areas. With an estimated increase in cases projected to reach 214 million by 2025, there is a pressing need for safe and effective treatment alternatives. The study focuses on assessing the efficacy of Boerhaavia diffusa, commonly known as Punarnava, as a potential herbal remedy for managing mild EHTN compared to the standard medication Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

Efficacy of Punarnava in Reducing Blood Pressure

The clinical study involved 60 patients with mild EHTN, randomized into two groups: one receiving Punarnava (2 capsules twice daily) and the other receiving HCTZ (1 tablet daily). Results demonstrated that Punarnava effectively reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over a six-week treatment period. Specifically, systolic BP in the Punarnava group fell from 151.48 mmHg to 137.33 mmHg, while diastolic BP dropped similarly from 95.41 mmHg to 87.11 mmHg. This evidence supports the potential of Punarnava as an effective herbal treatment for mild EHTN alongside the conventional medication.

Improvements in Subjective Symptoms

In addition to blood pressure reductions, Punarnava therapy was shown to provide significant improvements in subjective symptoms typically associated with hypertension, such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. The study indicated that headache intensity decreased remarkably, while dizziness significantly reduced from 2.14 to 0.29 on a standardized scale. This improvement highlights the dual benefit of Punarnava not only in managing BP but also in alleviating the accompanying subjective complaints that often impact the quality of life for individuals with hypertension.

Conclusion

The study concludes that Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava) represents a promising herbal alternative for managing mild EHTN, showing comparable effectiveness to Hydrochlorothiazide in reducing blood pressure. Furthermore, Punarnava offers superior tolerance, with fewer adverse effects, making it suitable for long-term management. Given the rising prevalence of hypertension and the limitations of current pharmaceutical treatments, further research on Punarnava can bolster the evidence for its use in clinical practice, ultimately contributing to broader healthcare strategies for hypertension management.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What was the aim of the clinical study on Punarnava?

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) in treating mild essential hypertension, comparing its effects on blood pressure and patient symptoms against those of Hydrochlorothiazide.

What were the main findings regarding Punarnava's effectiveness?

Punarnava significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients, achieving comparable results to Hydrochlorothiazide, while also alleviating symptoms like headache, dizziness, and fatigue without notable side effects.

How was the safety profile of Punarnava compared to Hydrochlorothiazide?

Punarnava demonstrated a better safety profile with no reported adverse effects, making it suitable for long-term use, while Hydrochlorothiazide was associated with various side effects.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Study on Boerhaavia diffusa's effect on essential hypertension.�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Drug:
A drug refers to a substance administered to patients to treat various conditions. In this study, the term GP refers to both the trial drug, Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava), known for its antihypertensive properties, and the control drug, Hydrochlorothiazide, used for managing blood pressure in essential hypertension.

2) Punarnava (Punar-nava):
Punarnava, also known scientifically as Boerhaavia diffusa, is the trial drug in the study. It's widely acknowledged for its diuretic effect and other medicinal properties in Ayurveda. It has shown promise in reducing blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension without significant side effects.

3) Blood:
Blood pressure is essential in the study since it is the key parameter being measured to determine the efficacy of Punarnava. Measurements for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were taken to evaluate the effects of the drug on patients with mild essential hypertension.

4) Disease:
Essential hypertension is the disease under investigation. The study aims to find safe and effective treatment methods for this condition, which is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular complications such as congestive cardiac failure and ischemic heart disease.

5) Nayak:
Nayak refers to Saurabha Nayak and Shobha Nayak, co-authors of the study. They contributed to the clinical research assessing the effectiveness of Punarnava in treating essential hypertension among patients in Puri, Odisha.

6) Pain:
Pain, specifically headaches and muscle pain, were among the subjective symptoms assessed in the study. The trial drug, Punarnava, was evaluated for its ability to reduce these symptoms in patients with essential hypertension, alongside its effects on blood pressure.

7) Saurabha:
Saurabha is part of the name Saurabha Nayak, the primary author and researcher involved in the clinical study on the effects of Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava) on essential hypertension. His role included data collection, analysis, and compiling the study results.

8) India:
India is the country where the clinical study was conducted, specifically in the state of Odisha. The prevalence and increasing trend of essential hypertension among urban and rural adults in India necessitated this research for effective and safe treatment options.

9) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is the traditional Indian system of medicine that emphasizes the use of herbal treatments. Punarnava, the trial drug in this study, is a well-known herb in Ayurveda, utilized for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive properties.

10) Family:
Family history is mentioned as a significant risk factor for developing hypertension. In the study, 19% of subjects reported a positive family history of hypertension or other cardiac events, influencing the prevalence and severity of the condition.

11) Puri:
Puri is the location of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya & Hospital in Odisha, India, where the clinical study was conducted. The hospital provided the setting for patient recruitment, assessment, and treatment during the study.

12) Pharmacological:
The pharmacological properties of Punarnava, such as diuretic, calcium channel blocking, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant attributes, are central to its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients as observed in the study.

13) Bhubaneswar (Bhubaneshvar, Bhubanesvar):
Bhubaneswar is where Apollo Hospitals is located and where Brajaraj Das, a senior cardiologist involved in the study, practices. Their involvement underscores the collaborative effort in the study of essential hypertension treatment.

14) Science (Scientific):
Scientific advancements underpin the study, highlighting the need for rigorous clinical trials and statistical analyses to validate the efficacy and safety of traditional herbs like Punarnava in treating modern health issues such as hypertension.

15) Education:
Education level among study participants varied, with hypertension being prevalent across different educational backgrounds. This demographic detail helped in understanding the distribution of hypertension and tailoring public health interventions more effectively.

16) Death:
Hypertension significantly contributes to mortality, being a major risk factor for life-threatening conditions like stroke and heart disease. The study emphasizes the global public health challenge posed by hypertension and the urgent need for effective treatment solutions.

17) Salt (Salty):
High salt intake is a known risk factor for hypertension. In the study, participants' average salt intake was noted to be 15 grams per day, which is 2.5 times the recommended amount, highlighting its role in elevated blood pressure levels.

18) Discussion:
The discussion section of the study elaborates on the antihypertensive effects of Punarnava, attributing its efficacy to its pharmacological properties and comparing its safety profile favorably against standard antihypertensive medications like Hydrochlorothiazide.

19) Rasayana (Rasa-ayana):
Rasayana is an Ayurvedic term referring to rejuvenating therapies that enhance longevity and vitality. Punarnava is described as a Rasayana in Ayurveda, indicating its potential in preventing aging-related health issues like arteriosclerosis, which contributes to hypertension.

20) Himalaya (Hima-alaya):
Himalaya Drug Company is the manufacturer of the Punarnava capsules used as the trial drug in the study. This company's involvement ensures the quality and consistency of the herbal product administered to patients.

21) Pregnant:
Pregnant women were excluded from the study to avoid any potential risks or adverse effects on maternal and fetal health, ensuring the safety and reliability of the clinical trial results.

22) Harvesting (Harvest):
[see source text or glossary: Harvest]

23) Mishra (Misra):
Mishra refers to Dr. Kabi Prasad Mishra, a renowned cardiologist who provided valuable guidance and suggestions during the study. His expertise was instrumental in designing and conducting the clinical trial on hypertension treatment.

24) Nausea:
Nausea is listed among potential adverse effects monitored during the study. Although not significantly prevalent in the trial group, it was one of the adverse events reported by some patients in the control group taking Hydrochlorothiazide.

25) Thirst:
Excessive thirst was another adverse event reported exclusively in the control group using Hydrochlorothiazide. Monitoring such side effects helped to contrast the safety profiles of the control and trial drugs during the clinical study.

26) Matha:
[see source text or glossary: Matha]

27) Ayus (Ayush):
[see source text or glossary: Ayush]

28) Doubt:
The effectiveness of Punarnava in treating renal problems has been well established beyond doubt in Ayurvedic practices. This study further explores and validates its utility in managing blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

29) House:
[see source text or glossary: House]

30) Food:
Processed fast foods with high salt content are noted as part of modern lifestyles, contributing to lifestyle-related diseases such as essential hypertension. The study underscores the need for dietary changes in managing and preventing such conditions.

31) Hair:
Hair fall was listed as one of the adverse effects monitored in the study, though no incidence was reported in either the trial or control groups. This highlights the importance of tracking even less common side effects in clinical trials.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: �Study on Boerhaavia diffusa's effect on essential hypertension.�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Adverse effect, Clinical study, Randomized controlled trial, Ethical consideration, Pharmacological activities, Laboratory investigation, Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, Subjective parameter, Institutional Ethical Committee, Essential hypertension, Good Clinical Practice, Serum sodium, Serum potassium, Calcium channel antagonist, Boerhaavia diffusa, Follow-up phase.

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