Medicinal Plants Used for Management of Hypertension in Nigeria
Kingsley I. Eghianruwa
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Olayinka A. Oridupa *
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Adebowale B. Saba
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hypertension is a medical condition characterized by chronic elevation of arterial blood pressure. Management of this chronic disease is essential to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and prevent other end-organ damage leading to stroke, retinopathies, chronic renal disease amongst others. Conventional management involves use of beta-adrenergic blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics.
Alongside these orthodox treatment regimens, traditional medicine systems in different parts of the world have means of treatment and management of hypertension which involves the use of herbs in the nature around man. However, these traditional practices are not standardized and there are no empirical bases for the use of many of these medicinal plants. This dearth of information prompted researchers to investigate the antihypertensive properties of claimed medicinal plants and probably determine the mechanism of action and bioactive principle(s) in these plants.
Medicinal plants used for treatment and management of hypertension in African Traditional Medicine practiced in Nigeria, West Africa are the focus of this review article. Studies on most of the plants are still at the rudimentary stage but results observed from these studies are noteworthy. Existing information on verification of traditional use and toxicity profile of these plants are documented here. Ethnomedical practices of different regions of Nigeria and some of the important plants used for treatment and management of hypertension are also discussed.
Keywords: Hypertension, medicinal plants, Nigeria