Siddha Medicine: An Evidence-Based Medical System
ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE EFFECT OF VENTHAMARAI CHOORNAM
Venthamarai chooranam, a poly-herbal Siddha medicine, composed of Nelumbo nucifera, Elaettaria cardamomum, Zingiber officinale, Piper longum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Anethum graveolens and Cuminum cyminum used for the treatment of hypertension by Siddha physicians.
An experimental study was conducted by a team of researchers to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of Venthamarai Choornam in an animal model of renovascular hypertension. The study evaluated the effect of Venthamarai Choornam on the renin–angiotensin system, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidative stress associated with hypertension.
Angiotensin II mainly acts through angiotensin type-1 (AT1) receptors, whose excessive activation is linked to high blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In contrast, angiotensin type-2 (AT2) receptors exert protective and blood pressure-lowering effects. The investigators found that Venthamarai Choornam reduced the overexpression of AT1 receptors while increasing AT2 receptor expression, thereby enhancing nitric oxide production. The formulation also increased endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) expression, leading to improved plasma nitric oxide levels and reduction in systolic blood pressure in hypertensive rats. In addition, the formulation significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers involved in vascular damage and hypertensive complications.
The findings suggest that Venthamarai Choornam exerts antihypertensive effects by regulating the renin–angiotensin system, improving endothelial function, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The investigators further opined that the substantial presence of flavonoids, particularly quercetin, may partly contribute to the observed antihypertensive effects.
Click the link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24719376/
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