title: Role of elements in pathophysiology of hypertension and antihypertensive drug development.
abstract: Cadmium and Zinc levels were determined in 100 patients of Essential hypertension by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. It was shown that the mean levels of Serum cadmium were 43.34% +/- 6.5% higher and zinc were 28.42% +/- 5.4% lower in hypertensive when compared with normotensive controls. A statistically significant relationship between the height of diastolic blood pressure and Serum cadmium levels was observed. Ajmaloon a preparation from Rauvolfia serpentina with corrective herbs lowered the blood pressure effectively and significantly P less than 0.001. The side effects were minimal. It also tends to decrease the elevated serum cadmium levels in hypertensive individuals. A plea for development of Catecholamine depleting agents as drug for hypertension is advanced.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002104:Cadmium; D015032:Zinc