title: Blood pressure lowering, fibrinolysis enhancing and antioxidant activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum).
abstract: Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. (Small cardamom) fruit powder was evaluated for its antihypertensive potential and its effect on some of the cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with stage 1 hypertension. Twenty, newly diagnosed individuals with primary hypertension of stage 1 were administered 3 g of cardamom powder in two divided doses for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was recorded initially and at 4 weeks interval for 3 months. Blood samples were also collected initially and at 4 weeks interval for estimation of lipid profile, fibrinogen and fibrinolysis. Total antioxidant status, however, was assessed initially and at the end of the study. Administration of 3 g cardamom powder significantly (p<0.001) decreased systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure and significantly (p<0.05) increased fibrinolytic activity at the end of 12th week. Total antioxidant status was also significantly (p<0.05) increased by 90% at the end of 3 months. However, fibrinogen and lipid levels were not significantly altered. All study subjects experienced a feeling of well being without any side-effects. Thus, the present study demonstrates that small cardamom effectively reduces blood pressure, enhances fibrinolysis and improves antioxidant status, without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels in stage 1 hypertensive individuals.
authors.affiliation: Indigenous Drug Research Center, Department of Medicine, RNT Medical College, Udaipur 313 001, Rajasthan, India. skvermaster@gmail.com
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Vartika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Katewa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D028523:Elettaria; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants