Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension

Phytother Res. 2002 Feb;16(1):48-54. doi: 10.1002/ptr.947.

Abstract

This pilot study was aimed at investigating the hypotensive potential of hawthorn extract and magnesium dietary supplements individually and in combination, compared with a placebo. Thirty-six mildly hypertensive subjects completed the study. At baseline, anthropometric and dietary assessment, as well as blood pressure measurements were taken at rest, after exercise and after a computer 'stress' test. Volunteers were then randomly assigned to a daily supplement for 10 weeks of either: (a) 600 mg Mg, (b) 500 mg hawthorn extract, (c) a combination of (a) and (b), (d) placebo. Measurements were repeated at 5 and 10 weeks of intervention. There was a decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in all treatment groups, including placebo, but ANOVA provided no evidence of difference between treatments. However, factorial contrast analysis in ANOVA showed a promising reduction (p = 0.081) in the resting diastolic blood pressure at week 10 in the 19 subjects who were assigned to the hawthorn extract, compared with the other groups. Furthermore, a trend towards a reduction in anxiety (p = 0.094) was also observed in those taking hawthorn compared with the other groups. These findings warrant further study, particularly in view of the low dose of hawthorn extract used.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anxiety / drug therapy
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Crataegus*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Magnesium / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Stress, Psychological / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Magnesium