TY - JOUR
T1 - Antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa
T2 - Weighing the evidence
AU - Lokeswara, Angga Wiratama
AU - Afaratu, Kevin
AU - Prihastama, Rafindhra Adhitya
AU - Farida, Siti
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd.
PY - 2019/11
Y1 - 2019/11
N2 - Objective: Hypertension causes 7.5 million deaths annually worldwide. Antihypertensive drugs cause side effects, potentially leading to non-adherence, hence uncontrolled hypertension and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, there has been increasing interest in alternative pharmacological treatments for hypertension, one of which is black cumin, or Nigella sativa, a traditional medicine that has been empirically used. This evidence-based case report aims to evaluate the current evidence for the effectiveness of Nigella sativa in reducing blood pressure in a mildly hypertensive patient. Methods: A literature search was performed on MEDLINE, TRIP Database, Clinical Key, ScienceDirect, and DynaMed, using the keywords “nigella sativa”, “hypertension”, and “blood pressure” with all their synonyms and related terms. The included studies were two systematic reviews and two clinical trials, which were then critically appraised. Results: Out of the four studies, three were considered valid. In terms of importance, Sahebkar et al. showed a reduction of the weighted mean difference (WMD) by Nigella sativa: −3.26 mmHg, 95% CI: −5.10, −1.42, I2 = 59% for systolic blood pressure and WMD: −2.80 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.28, −1.32, I2= 60% for diastolic blood pressure. Badar et al. concluded that Nigella sativa significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with the control group. Two studies were considered applicable to our patient in question. Conclusion: The current evidence for the effect of Nigella sativa in lowering blood pressure is limited. However, one study gives strong evidence for significant antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa. In mild hypertension, Nigella sativa could be one of the therapeutic options.
AB - Objective: Hypertension causes 7.5 million deaths annually worldwide. Antihypertensive drugs cause side effects, potentially leading to non-adherence, hence uncontrolled hypertension and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, there has been increasing interest in alternative pharmacological treatments for hypertension, one of which is black cumin, or Nigella sativa, a traditional medicine that has been empirically used. This evidence-based case report aims to evaluate the current evidence for the effectiveness of Nigella sativa in reducing blood pressure in a mildly hypertensive patient. Methods: A literature search was performed on MEDLINE, TRIP Database, Clinical Key, ScienceDirect, and DynaMed, using the keywords “nigella sativa”, “hypertension”, and “blood pressure” with all their synonyms and related terms. The included studies were two systematic reviews and two clinical trials, which were then critically appraised. Results: Out of the four studies, three were considered valid. In terms of importance, Sahebkar et al. showed a reduction of the weighted mean difference (WMD) by Nigella sativa: −3.26 mmHg, 95% CI: −5.10, −1.42, I2 = 59% for systolic blood pressure and WMD: −2.80 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.28, −1.32, I2= 60% for diastolic blood pressure. Badar et al. concluded that Nigella sativa significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with the control group. Two studies were considered applicable to our patient in question. Conclusion: The current evidence for the effect of Nigella sativa in lowering blood pressure is limited. However, one study gives strong evidence for significant antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa. In mild hypertension, Nigella sativa could be one of the therapeutic options.
KW - Black cumin
KW - Black seed
KW - Blood pressure
KW - Hypertension
KW - Nigella sativa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85077145560&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.22159/ijap.2019.v11s6.33577
DO - 10.22159/ijap.2019.v11s6.33577
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85077145560
SN - 0975-7058
VL - 11
SP - 135
EP - 139
JO - International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics
JF - International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics
IS - Special Issue 6
ER -