Results of the study on the effects of a combined herbal preparation on arterial blood pressure

Abstract

Background: Stress, insomnia, and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health disorders in society and are associated with negative consequences such as reduced work capacity, decreased quality of life, and an increased risk of chronic diseases worldwide. During stress, the sympathetic nervous system becomes activated, leading to physiological changes such as increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, and elevated arterial blood pressure. If prolonged, these changes may increase the risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, pharmacological research on medicinal plants with sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects has been intensively conducted. Therefore, there is a growing need to develop a combined herbal preparation from Valeriana ofÏcinalis L. and Leonurus sibiricus L., which have been used in traditional medicine for sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects, and to investigate their effects on arterial blood pressure. Aim: To investigate the effect of an herbal complex preparation on arterial blood pressure. Materials and Methods: An herbal complex preparation was formulated from 70% ethanol extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. and Leonurus sibiricus L. in a 30:70 ratio. Its effects on normal blood pressure and Angiotensin II-induced hypertension were evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. The preparation was administered orally at doses of 750 and 1000 mg/kg. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using a Softron BP-98AWU system and compared between groups. Results: At doses of 750 and 1000 mg/kg, the complex preparation reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 6.4-12.0% and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 16.1-28.1% under normal conditions (p<0.05). In the intraperitoneal Angiotensin II-induced hypertension model, SBP decreased by 5.9-19.6% and DBP by 6.3-20.1% (p<0.05). In the osmotic pump-induced Angiotensin II hypertension model, the 750 mg/kg dose reduced SBP by 18.2-33% and DBP by 17.2-28.3% (p<0.001). Conclusion: The herbal complex preparation at doses of 750 and 1000 mg/kg demonstrated a significant antihypertensive effect in both normal and Angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mice.