title: Evaluation of polyherbal formulation (SJT-HT-03) for antihypertensive activity in albino rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension is an incurable pathological condition and lifelong therapy is required. Long term use of conventional synthetic anti-hypertensive drugs is associated with a spectrum of toxic effects. However, therapeutic interventions using herbal drugs for hypertension have gained considerable attention worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the anti-hypertensive activity of polyherbal formulation (SJT-HT-03).
  
  
  METHODS
  The polyherbal formulation (SJT-HT-03) comprises of leaves of Aegle marmelos L., fruits of Benincasa hispida Thunb., Garcinia indica Thouars, and flowers of Musa paradiasica L., Rosa indica L., Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. Selected plants as mentioned above were collected, dried and extracted with different solvents. Formulation SJT-HT-03 (250 mg/kg, p.o.), was evaluated using two kidney one clip (2K1C) model and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertension model using the enalapril (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and hydrochlorothiazide (5 mg/kg, p.o.) as a reference standard drug in respective models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SJT-HT-03 significantly reduced (P < 0.001, one-way analysis of variance followed by Turkey's multiple comparison tests) systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure (BP) in 2K1C and DOCA-salt model. Further, SJT-HT-03 has shown a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in serum, clipped kidney as well as in lungs in 2K1C model, whereas significant reduction (P < 0.05) in serum Na(+) and increase in serum K(+) level in DOCA model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyherbal formulation SJT-HT-03 possess significant anti-hypertensive activity by producing direct depressant effect on heart, inhibition of ACE, aldosterone antagonistic as well as diuretic effect and thereby act on multiple targets to achieve optimal effect.
authors.affiliation: The National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM), University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Hardik S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ghelani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, S. J. Thakkar Pharmacy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Bipin M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, S. J. Thakkar Pharmacy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Rina H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gokani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, S. J. Thakkar Pharmacy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Manish A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rachchh
keywords: Aegle marmelos; anti-hypertensive; polyherbal; two kidney one clip model